Addis Abeba – Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said 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 in the country. “Prior to his arrest Bekalu extensively covered the ongoing violent confrontation in Amhara state between government forces and Fano, an armed militia operating within the state,” the statement added. He was first arrested in November 2020, when he was the editor in chief of Awlo Media, accused of disseminating false information and defaming the Ethiopian government. He was one of the 12 journalists from two online media platforms: Awlo Media and Ethio Forum, who was detained in June 2021. However, Awlo Media has since shut down after police failed to return its confiscated equipment.

Source: Ethiopian News August 11, 2023 11:19 UTC