The Economist has reminded Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of his promise for a free press in the country. Tom Gardner, the publication's correspondent in Addis Ababa, had his press credentials withdrawn and was deported shortly after. The Committee to Protect Journalists says Gardner's expulsion and the onslaught on local media showed the government was not interested in press freedom. In withdrawing Gardner's press accreditation, the country's Media Licence Registration and Accreditation Director Fantahun Asres claimed that the journalist had ignored verbal and written calls about his "mistaken approach" to reporting. Ethiopia's Constitution of 1995 guarantees freedom of expression and freedom of the press and the capacity of the press to "entertain diverse opinions".

Source: Ethiopian News May 17, 2022 10:50 UTC