Photos: YouTube\TwitterEthiopian authorities should immediately release all recently arrested journalists and media workers and ensure that authorities cease harassing members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said this week. Those detained include five journalists and media workers of the privately owned YouTube channel Ashara Media, four journalists and media workers of the YouTube channel Nisir International Broadcasting Corporation, Meskerem Abera, the founder and editor of private broadcaster Ethio Nekat Media; and Solomon Shumeye, the founder and owner of private broadcaster Gebeyanu Media. Ashara Media recently covered the government’s crackdown on Fano, an armed militia in Amhara state, the detention of government critics, and a public demonstration about housing concerns, according to CPJ’s review. On May 20, Addis Ababa police detained Gebeyanu Media’s Solomon at the Addis Ababa Police Commission, according to news reports, which cited Solomon’s lawyer and a family member. Solomon appeared in court on May 21 for allegedly making media statements that incited people to violence and creating discord between the federal and Amhara state governments, according to the VOA report.

Source: Ethiopian News May 27, 2022 17:53 UTC