Ethiopia: CFWIJ Welcomes The Release On Bail Of Journalist Meskerem Abera

Location: Ethiopia, Addis Ababa     
Date: December 13, 2022

Founding editor of private broadcaster Ethio Nikat Media, Meskerem Abera was released on bail on January 5, 2023. However, the bail amount of 50,000 ETB is too exorbitant for journalists like Abera. The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands the court to reconsider her bail to be unconditional.

On December 13, Meskerem Abera was arrested for undisclosed reasons by Ethiopian authorities. This is the second arrest for the journalist who was previously arrested on May 21, 2022 at Bole International Airport on her return from the northern city of Bahir Dar to the capital Addis Ababa according to her husband Fitsum Gebremichael. She was taken to the Addis Ababa Police Commission’s offices and charged with inciting public violence through her media appearances. Her lawyer Henok Aklilu told the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) that Meskerem was produced before court on May 23 and 24, and is now due to appear on June 6.

At the hearing held before the Federal Court of First Instance in Addis Ababa on May 23, the police sought 14 days of remand for the journalist. They told the court that Meskerem is under investigation on suspicion of “inciting riots and creating mistrust between the Amhara region and the federal government,” reported Ethiopian media outlet Addis Standard. The police sought 14 days of remand to trace her alleged collaborators. 

Meskerem’s lawyers contended that the arrest was illegal and in violation of media freedom and due process. They argued that the defendant, a university lecturer, political commentator and journalist, is a known public figure and was arrested without due process. Denying the alleged crime, the defense moved the court for bail. The court denied bail and handed over the journalist to the police for remand. 

Meskerem’s independent media channel Ethio Nikat Media on YouTube covers news about the Ahmara state. It has featured a message by the journalist to an Ethiopian military general appealing to him to side with the Fano militia and the people during a “looming crackdown”. In another segment, Meskerem defended the need for the militia, an armed volunteer youth group, which reportedly had been helping the federal government in the Tigray war. 

On May 20, 2022, the Ethiopian government had issued a statement vowing to continue action against “engaged in illegal activities, intentionally causing public alarm and turmoil, as well as those who are working to cause violence and disturbance among the public under the disguise of journalism and media work”. 

The day prior, May 19, saw a wave of arrests with journalists, activists, politicians, and dissenting voices, amid reports of clashes between Fano and allied federal and regional troops. Around 4,500 people have reportedly been arrested since then under allegations of illegal activity. 

Meskerem and at least 10 other journalists were among those arrested. On May 19, security forces raided Ashara Media in the Amhara state capital of Bahir Dar and arrested five employees, including camera operator and video editor Kelemu Gelagay Akene, camera operator and video editor Daniel Mesfin, and journalists Gashaye Nigussie Ferede, Getenet Yalew and Habtamu Melese. The journalists were transferred to a prison in the northern town of Nefas Mewcha and denied legal access. The raid party, which appeared without a warrant, confiscated laptops, external hard drives and other office equipment. 

A simultaneous raid was carried out at the offices of another media outlet, Nisir International Broadcasting Corporation, and four employees were arrested. Police confiscated digital devices and office equipment. The outlet fears that disclosing the detained journalists’ names would further compromise theirs and their families’ safety. 

The next day, Solomon Shumeye, the founder and owner of private broadcaster Gebeyanu Media, was arrested and charged under the same alleged offense as Meskerem. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism calls on the  authorities to allow space for independent and dissenting voices like those of  journalists who must be free to report without government retaliation. It is their job to hold power to account.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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