The Ethiopian government is once more trying to silence the country’s independent press.

In November 2003, the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association (EFJA), was forced to cease its activities on the grounds that it had failed to submit audit reports since 2000. A month later, four EFJA board members, including President Kifle Mulat, were suspended for the same reason. In a letter to EFJA, the government warned of disciplinary action if the suspended board members were found engaging in activities associated with EFJA.

On 18 January 2004, the Ethiopian Ministry of Justice appointed a "new Executive Committee" for EFJA. This action seems to be a way of trying to silence EFJA, and by that means the premier representative of independent media in Ethiopia.

In a joint statement international press freedom organisations strongly condemned the suspension of EFJA and stated that: " The Ethiopian government is seeking to change the composition of one of the only bodies that can rightfully claim to represent the independent media in Ethiopia. Moreover, we believe that these acts are being carried out to ensure not only that the independent media no longer has a distinctive voice in Ethiopia but also to prevent internal criticism of the new repressive press law that is being prepared for passage through the Ethiopian legislature."

EFJA has been a strong critic of a the purposely press law, which provides for the jailing of journalists who make reporting errors, allows the government to confiscate foreign newspapers entering the country and gives the authorities 30 days to answer journalists’ questions.

Add your voice to the protests against the recent events in Ethiopia by sending a protest letter to the Ethiopian authorities. Sign the protest letter. Go to www.rap21.org

To read the full joint letter by the 14 IFEX members, go to: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view...