According to a new index released by the nonprofit Freedom House, Ethiopia ranked ahead of only Iran, Syria, and China, out of 65 countries in terms of access to the internet, censorship, and freedom of information. In response, Ethiopian authorities have intermittently shut down mobile phone and internet connections. They have also blocked social media like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter. Charges against protesters and opposition leaders often rely on evidence taken from social media, according to Freedom House. Government-owned EthioTelecom has a monopoly on internet access.

Source: Ethiopian News November 16, 2016 16:13 UTC