Comments on: Attacks on the Press in 2008: Ethiopia

By: Elsa Wondimu

Elsa Wondimu — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:44:35 +0000

Observer,

Your observation is faulty. Ethiopia is one of the worst violators and jailers of journalists in the world (look it up). She is in the same club as China and Cuba. Kudos to CPJ for exposing the truth. The only think fake here is the so called democracy in Ethiopia. Do you know where the opposition leader is? She is in prison Cell (35-years old, female, former Judge). What we have in Ethiopia is the basic requirements of appearance of democracy in order to be qualified for IMF and World Bank and other aid money. Cut off the money. Enough said.

In disagreement with Observer.

Ke akbirot gar

By: mahlet

mahlet — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:46:38 +0000

I don’t think freedom of speech can be abused. Everyone has the right to say or write whatever they want as long as they don’t do harm to others. And I don’t see journalists in Ethiopia abusing their powers they are writing what they witness. The fact is the Ethiopian government took the peoples freedom of speech by not allowing them to write or say things against the government, because deep inside they know that what the people and most importantly what the journalists are writing is the truth.

By: ewunetu

ewunetu — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:09:43 +0000

CPJ is great!!!i read the responses of the two observers who deny the reality in Ethiopia. Everybody is afraid of talking about politics now in Ethiopia as we are observing those who dare to speak are getting detained. Even i am afraid to write this!!!

By: GIDADA

GIDADA — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 08:20:26 +0000

(Some) journalists in Ethiopia are fake and they are abusing their freedom of speech. They fabricate false news in order to get some coin. These days even the leading reporter news paper has 45 pages and 40 pages are dedicated to advertisement, like community news paper that u get for free.

As to NGOs ( NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION) they also abuse their power and the MONEY. Just look at their more than 30 years record in ETHIOPIA, they did many meaningless things.

Thank’s

By: shewa

shewa — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:58:35 +0000

CPJ nonsense. These NGO will leave no stone unturned to go against the Ethiopian government because the new law and there interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign country.

We need bread not your values. We have values that makes us proud. We will reach our goal at our pace not forced by you.

By: Observer

Observer — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:12:23 +0000

CPG (Committee to protect Journalists) is a non-profit organization operating in the U.S. In other words, if the organization was to open an office in Ethiopia, it will be considered an NGO (Non Governmental Organization). And NGOs have no business meddling in the internal affairs of powerful nations like Russia and the America, and like wise, they should not have any business meddling in the business of Ethiopia. You have to take this information with a grain of salt. Ethiopia is a young democracy and it takes time to build a real democracy. Is everything perfect? No. Have we made mistakes? Yes. But we are marching ahead. You have to consider cultural and historical issues that CPJ does not understand from outside.

With respect, but in disagreement!