SOLAN KOLLI/AFP via Getty ImagesCommittee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)Ethiopian authorities arbitrarily detain ‘Alpha Media’ founder Bekalu Alamrew, and confiscate his equipment. Ethiopian authorities must immediately release journalist Bekalu Alamrew, founder and chief editor of Alpha Media, a YouTube-based news channel, and ensure the protection of press freedom, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. This conflict resulted in the declaration of a six-month-long state of emergency and an ongoing internet shutdown in the region. In Ethiopia, several journalists who were detained in April continue to remain in custody after authorities pressed terrorism charges. Federal police spokesman Jeylan Abdi did not reply to CPJ’s requests for comment sent via email and messaging app.

Source: Ethiopian News August 12, 2023 11:49 UTC