The International Press Institute urges Ethiopian lawmakers to reject proposed media law amendments that could undermine the gains made in 2021 for media independence. The proposed changes threaten the autonomy of the Ethiopian Media Authority and increase governmental control over media regulation. Significant aspects include the prime minister’s power in board appointments and the transfer of licensing powers, which could lead to arbitrary restrictions on journalists.
The International Press Institute (IPI) has urged Ethiopian lawmakers to reject proposed amendments to media laws, viewing them as a significant regression from the advancements of the 2021 Media Proclamation. This original law was celebrated for decriminalizing defamation and eliminating pre-trial detention for media-related offenses, fostering a more independent press in Ethiopia. However, the new amendments now jeopardize this progress by potentially undermining the autonomy of the Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) and allowing greater governmental control over media oversight under the guise of enhancing administrative efficiency.
The draft legislation outlines new appointment processes for EMA board members, including the prime minister’s authority to nominate the board’s director and the removal of existing conflict-of-interest guidelines, which previously barred political party members from serving on the board. It further complicates the board’s composition by suggesting representation from various media-relevant bodies, thus diminishing the current diversity that includes civil society and media representatives, which enrich the board’s expertise.
Additionally, the proposed changes would shift critical media licensing powers from the EMA Board to the Authority itself, reducing necessary checks and balances. This change poses significant risks, as there have been numerous instances of arbitrary license suspensions and punitive actions against both local and foreign journalists. Dr. Marystella Simiyu, IPI’s Africa Senior Legal Advocacy Officer, emphasized the vital need for an independent regulatory body to support press freedom and called for the rejection of amendments that could compromise this independence.
The IPI strongly advocates for lawmakers to oppose any legislative amendments that threaten the media regulator’s autonomy and conflict with international standards governing freedom of expression and media independence, particularly those outlined in the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
In conclusion, the proposed amendments to Ethiopia’s media laws threaten to dismantle the progress made in media freedom since 2021 by increasing governmental control over media regulation and undermining the independence of the Ethiopian Media Authority. IPI calls for legislators to reject any modifications that compromise press independence and adherence to international standards of media freedom.
Original Source: hornobserver.com
