The statement also included that she “reports for several foreign media including the Los Angeles Times, Al Jazeera and Norwegian Monthly Bistandsaktuelt.”According to the Ethiopia State of Emergency Fact Check office, the stated journalist is not legally registered by the Ethiopian Broadcast Authority. The Ethiopian Broadcast Authority (EBA) requires all journalists to register and hold a press badge before working as a reporter for foreign media. The EBA does not have Lucy Kassa on the list of legally operating correspondents in Ethiopia. “Thus, the statement issued by Reporters Without Borders is incorrect,” the office said“Their claims should have been cross checked with EBA, the public office with the mandate of handing journalist accreditation issues in Ethiopia,” it added. While all individuals need to be free from any form of harm to their person, RSF hurried conclusion without determining legal status has aided the spread of disinformation.

Source: Ethiopian News February 12, 2021 19:07 UTC