CyberEthiopia

Petition Campaign for Ethiopian refugees

Written by Save Ethiopian Refugee International (SERI)
Monday, 04 August 2008
Large numbers of Ethiopian refugees are currently dispersed across many countries in Africa and the Middle East. They live under extreme hardship conditions, often without adequate food, shelter and other social support networks. Sign this petition and support Save Ethiopian Refugees International (SERI).

Tributes for Dr. Berhanu Abebe, gone at 75.

Written by CyberEthiopia
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Addis Ababa, July 3, 2008 (Addis Ababa) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy expresses condolences on the death of the renowned Ethiopian scholar, Dr. Berhanu Abebe. Sarkozy sent the letter of condolence to President Girma Woldegiorgis on behalf of the French people and government; and on his own. President Sarkozy said the death of Dr. Berhanu was a loss not only to Ethiopia but also to Africa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told ENA. A press release from the French Embassy in Addis Ababa also said "Professor Berhanu Abebe will be sorely missed". "An incredible mind and a wonderful scholar, Professor Berhanu Abebe was, all through his lifetime, a committed and outstanding proponent of the Ethiopian culture as well as of Francophony.” “A lawyer, historian and erudite , Professor Berhanu Abebe was entrusted with prestigious positions, which he owed to his great talent: an academic and researcher of great renown, he was also appointed Vice-president of the PanAfrican Congress and Deputy General Manager of the Ethio-French Railway Company.” (Photo Ambassade de France Addis-Abeba, 16 mai 2006. Remise de la Légion d'Honneur au Pr Berhanou Abebe par SE M. Stéphane Gompertz, ambassadeur de France en Éthiopie)
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New Media Law, New Threat to Press Freedom

Written by Inter Press Service

Wednesday, 09 July 2008

Ethiopian Newspapers NAIROBI, Jul 8 (IPS) - A new media law -- six years in the making -- has been passed by Ethiopia's House of People's Representatives. Its preamble declares that "the proclamation removes all obstacles that were impediments to the operation of the media in Ethiopia." But an analysis by Ethiopian journalists finds it actually clears the way for government to continue to harass and persecute the messenger when the message is not in line with the whims of the rulers.

The 'Mass Media and Freedom of Information Proclamation', which purports to update and reform the first ever Ethiopian press law of 1992, has been a source of controversy ever since its initiation in 2002.

The new law fits into a pattern of official persecution of journalists seen over the last three years. Soon after controversial 2005 elections, three newspapers and magazines belonging to the country's largest private publisher, Serkalem Publishing House, were closed down as part of a widespread crackdown on media that dared to criticise the handling of the poll. Serkalem Fasil and her family were imprisoned for over a year.

Ten other independent publications were also forced to shut down, leaving hundreds of journalists unemployed.

More at IPS

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