http://appablog.wordpress.com/2008/08/21/ethiopia-media-landscape-still-uncertain-as-ethiopia-releases-jailed-journalists/
African Press Organization, Switzerland August 21, 2008/Ethiopia / Media Landscape Still Uncertain as Ethiopia Releases Jailed Journalists
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expressed concern today about the media environment in Ethiopia even though all journalists jailed in relation to their work since the November 2005 crackdown, have been released.
”The release of all journalists from prison in Ethiopia is a positive development” said Gabriel Baglo, Director of the IFJ Africa Office. “However, we still expect the Ethiopian Government to put an end to the intimidation of journalists in order to make it possible for the independent media to work freely.”
A mission of the IFJ and the Eastern Africa Journalists Association to Ethiopia two weeks ago noted that the media landscape in Ethiopia is still rocky, as up to about eight newspapers that were closed during the November 2005 crackdown are still being denied licenses to operate.
A number of Ethiopian journalists in exile are still afraid to return home for fear of reprisals. The New Media Law passed by the parliament on July 1 was said to be repressive by independent Ethiopian journalists with harsh penalties related to libel; others journalists objected to the inclusion of the Freedom of Information Bill within the media law.
The IFJ urges Ethiopian government to accept the role the media plays in society and to allow the media to perform its duties within the acceptable standards and necessary conditions in a modern democracy.
“The government should engage dialogue most especially with the independent media in order to improve press freedom and working conditions of journalists for ethical journalism in Ethiopia,” said Baglo.
____________
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1834437,00.html
Time, US
Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008
Pirates Seize More Ships off Somalia
AP/EILEEN NG
(KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia) — Armed pirates hijacked a Japanese-operated tanker and an Iranian ship off Somalia's coast Thursday, the latest in a series of attacks that have sent jitters among seafarers in an area known for its lawlessness.
The hijackings came after a Malaysian palm oil tanker with 39 crew was seized in the same area late Tuesday. The latest attacks raised to six the number of ships hijacked in the Gulf of Aden since July 20.
In the first incident Thursday, pirates "continuously fired" on the Iranian bulk carrier before boarding and commandeering it, said Noel Choong of the International Maritime Bureau in Kuala Lumpur.
Less than an hour later, a Japanese-operated tanker with 19 crew was also attacked and seized in the same area.
He said there has been no communication so far with either vessel, but a multi-coalition naval force in the areas has been informed, and "is taking action." The naval force includes the United States, France, Germany, Pakistan, Britain and Canada, which currently holds the rotating command.
No other details were immediately available.
"In 48 hours, three ships have been attacked and hijacked by armed pirates. It is coming to a very dangerous stage," said Choong, who heads IMB's piracy reporting center in Kuala Lumpur. "We urge the United Nations and the international community to take serious action to stop this menace."
The IMB has also issued an urgent warning to all ships in the Gulf of Aden to maintain a strict watch.
The Gulf of Aden connects the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, forming one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
Choong said pirates seized a Japanese-owned cargo ship with 20 Filipino sailors on July 20 in the Gulf. A Nigerian vessel was later hijacked, followed by a Thai cargo ship with 28 crew members this month.
Negotiations were continuing in all cases, except in the Malaysian hijacking, after pirates demanded ransom for the release of the crew, he said.
Somalia is the world's biggest piracy hotspot, with 24 reported attacks in the first half of this year.
The impoverished country has not had a functioning government since 1991 and pirates armed with rocket-propelled grenade launchers and automatic weapons frequently seize foreign vessels for ransom, making it difficult and expensive to deliver aid.
In June, the U.N. Security Council voted to allow international warships to enter Somali waters to combat the problem. But its 1,880-mile coastline — the longest in Africa — remains virtually unpoliced.
Ships have been urged to stay more than 200 nautical miles from the Somali coast, Choong said.
_____________________
http://www.shabelle.net/
Shabelle Media Network, Somalia 8/20/08 Four Ethiopian soldiers killed in Somalia
Reports from Beledweyne town the provincial capital of Hiran region central Somalia said that two Ethiopian soldiers and two civilians following hand grenades were thrown into their army bases in the town on Tuesday eyewitnesses said.
The two late civilians were close at hands by the under fired Ethiopian soldiers.
Following the attack the Ethiopian troops have stretched nearly all vital streets in the town and prevented the civilians from making business and daily life movements.
Independent news sources told Shabelle that the soldiers have arrested additional people in the vicinity of wretched area after the blast.
Alshabab Islamic group has claimed the responsibility of that attack.
Else where two Ethiopian soldiers have been shot dead in Gubta area in Mogadishu following armed men with pistols have shot dead them from distant location witnesses said.
Ethiopian officials were not immediately available for comment. Ethiopian official acknowledge sending military advisers to help Somalia 's government, but have denied deploying a large number of troops.
Somalia has not had an effective government since 1991, when warlords overthrew Dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and then turned on one another.
The interim government was formed with the help of the United Nations two years ago, but its probability of country’s full control marred by heavy islamists insurgency.
Experts have warned that the country has become a proxy battleground for Somalia 's neighbors, Eritrea and Ethiopia .
No comments:
Post a Comment