IFJ Condemns Ethiopian Jamming of Voice of America

IFJ Condemns Ethiopian Jamming of Voice of America

ADDIS ABABA, April 2, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ --

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on Ethiopia to lift all restrictions on Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts after the government summarily jammed the network's broadcasts in Amharic, amid accusations of peddling "destabilising propaganda".

"We condemn jamming of broadcasts," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "It is unprofessional, intolerant and flies in the face of promises that the Ethiopian Government is committed to press freedom."

According to news reports the interference with VOA broadcasts was ordered by Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on 18 March. He said VOA's Amharic programmes were not objective and hostile to his government. He is reported to have controversially compared the service to the notorious Radio Mille Collines, the infamous African hate media which fuelled the killing spree during the 1994 genocide of Tutsi and moderate Hutus in Rwanda.

The IFJ says if the Government has complaints it must respect basic standards of professionalism by detailing its objections and giving VOA an opportunity to respond before taking any action.

The IFJ says the decision is the latest in a series of hostile measures taken by Ethiopian authorities in the lead up to general elections May. Last month, the National Electoral Board adopted controversial guidelines for journalists during the election period. Media observers say these rules are repressive, unconstitutional and anathema to press freedom.

The IFJ condemnation adds to concerns that the Prime Minister is back-tracking on pledges made to leaders of the IFJ and the Federation of African Journalists during a mission to Addis Ababa earlier this year when Meles Zenawi undertook to fight censorship and interference and to work for change in media.

"The government's legitimate concerns can receive fair hearing through dialogue," added White. "But when a government brazenly imposes censorship it undermines profoundly efforts to build respect for ethical and professional standards in journalism in the country at large."

Source: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

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