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Ethiopia is one of the worst countries to exercise freedom of speech although the c country needs it so bad. The government has recently accused bloggers, newspapers and magazines’ publishers as terror advocates. On Aug 15, 2014 the owner of LOMI magazine was bailed out from the on 50,000 birr. The court in Addis Ababa has adjourned the trial for Aug 21, 2014. The government accused him for two articles published on June 13, 2014 and April 9, 2014 respectively. It is very surprising and also heart breaking to be penalized for spotting out the government weak side and expressing one’s view freely. Is it not true that the most developed and powerful countries in the world use criticism as a feedback tool to work on their weak side and bring better change? Why is it a crime in Ethiopia?
The narrow minded and ethnic centered Ethiopian government (woyane) has continued deliberately chasing anyone who dares to criticize or opposes it as the 2015 national election is approaching. Addis Gudaye and Fact magazines publishers and owners faced also the same trial as LOMI magazine did. In addition Afro times magazine publishers are appointed to stand in front of a court in less than a week from today. Jano and Enku magazines owners and publishers have shared the same fate.
The so called anti terrorism law adopted in 2009 is still a threat that continues to hang over journalists and free press. ‘’ We should not use the anti terrorism proclamation as mechanism to be able to curve the free exchange of ideas.’’ Secretary of state John Kerry forwarded this statement right at the heart of Addis Ababa on his visit to five African countries on may 2014.But the corrupted dictatorial and arrogant Ethiopian leaders kept sentencing and locking the 90 million people from accessing information from various options and sources. To cover their dirty political affairs and embarrassing corrupted actions, they hunt journalists, bloggers and publishers. It is undeniable that Ethiopia is one of the worst places to exercise freedom of speech. Moreover it is also one of the poorest country in the world while it brutal leaders are on the list of the few billionaires in the world. What a pity!
By :Abenezer Ahmed
From German
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