Media freedom in decline – by Felix Horne
Ethiopia has made good progress in many fields of development. But while western donor countries laud Ethiopia’s successes, its citizens suffer from state repression. The ruling party, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front, and its regional offshoots exercise pervasive control over the country’s economic, political and social life. Journalists and opposition politicians are regularly convicted under repressive laws. Peaceful protests are met with brutal crackdowns, and torture of dissenters in custody is commonplace. In 2009, the government passed a law that sharply restricted most activism concerning good governance, human rights and advocacy. Independent civil society has since been decimated. Even the Heinrich Böll Foundation, which is affiliated to Germany’s Green Party, closed its office in Ethiopia in 2012. It could not fulfil its mission of promoting democratisation, gender justice and sustainable development anymore. There is also scarce opportunity
