The editor-in-chief of the Ethiopian independent news outlet Addis Standard, Yonas Kedir, was reportedly abducted and assaulted by security forces last Saturday. He was held for 24 hours, during which he experienced “prolonged interrogation,” according to a statement from Jakken Publishing, the outlet’s owner. This incident is part of a broader crackdown on independent media, as rights groups have noted a pattern of targeting such organizations in Ethiopia. Following Yonas’s abduction, the news outlet’s offices were raided, with equipment seized, and a police eviction order was issued, demanding the company vacate its premises within three days. The Ethiopian government has yet to respond to inquiries regarding these actions, which follow the revocation of Addis Standard’s media registration in February for allegedly violating media ethics and threatening national interests.
Why It Matters
Ethiopia has seen a significant decline in press freedom over recent years, with numerous journalists facing arbitrary arrests and media licenses being revoked. In February, the Addis Standard had its media registration revoked, which it is currently contesting in court. The Committee to Protect Journalists and Human Rights Watch have condemned the government’s actions, arguing they reflect a systematic effort to suppress independent journalism. This crackdown is part of a larger trend of media repression in Ethiopia, where authorities have increasingly targeted outlets perceived as critical of the government, contributing to a hostile environment for free expression.
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