Ethiopian journalists in exile

By an Ethiopian journalist

At least 20 journalists live in the Toronto area, working for the government, media, television and radio. There are also a few journalists who work for independent newspapers. A number of other exiles live in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

At least 150 journalists from the independent media and close to 30 state media journalists have left Ethiopia between 2005 and 2006. Almost all journalists in Ethiopia left the country because of the hostile working environment in Ethiopia. Most exiled journalists said "they were unable to do their jobs in a free manner" and indicated "we are afraid for our lives". Some claimed officials had been verbally abusive and had been detained or arrested. A number of journalists from the independent media were exiled after their chief editors and publishers had been arrested. Most experienced having there family members and close relatives interrogated or arrested.

Government suppresses and censors media
 The government has already appointed some very loyal members to watch the activities of journalists and at least ten reporters from ETV and Ethiopian Radio has been fired after the election for reporting on the government's mishandling of the post election crisis. The working environment is tense with government censorship becoming more serious. After the election scores of private media were shut and at least 14 journalists are in prison. The government is only issuing new licenses only to government affiliated companies.