Yet as of Dec. 1, the country was recorded as not having any imprisoned journalists. The last time Ethiopia was recorded as having no journalists in prison was 2004, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists’ 2018 annual prison census. It has also used harsh anti-terrorism laws to target bloggers, journalists, and human rights defenders, according to digital advocates. But in January, ex-prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn announced the closure of the notorious detention center Maekelawi, which had previously housed many journalists. His successor, Abiy Ahmed, who took over in April also released thousands of political prisoners and journalists and dismissed charges against diaspora-based media outlets.

Source: Ethiopian News December 13, 2018 12:22 UTC