2 days ago
International Media watchdogs urge immediate release of Ethiopia editor - Africa
International journalism watchdogs called on Wednesday for the "immediate release" of the founder of an independent Ethiopian outlet, after he was detained over the weekend.
The east African giant of some 130 million people is regularly criticised by human rights NGOs for the repression of dissenting voices and has seen a surge in the detention of journalists in recent months.
The country ranks 145th out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) 2025 press freedom index, which cites "widespread self-censorship".
Tesfalem Waldyes, founder of online publication Ethiopia Insider, was detained by plainclothes police on June 8 at a hotel in capital Addis Ababa on charges of "spreading false information", RSF said.
He was held for two days and despite a court ordering his release and bail of 15,000 birr ($109) having been posted, Tesfalem remains in detention.
RSF sub-Saharan director Sadibou Marong urged his "immediate release" and condemned his imprisonment.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Africa Program Coordinator Muthoki Mumo condemned Tesfalem's detention, and urged his release.
The CPJ said that the jailing "underscores the Ethiopian government's disregard for judicial processes and press freedom".
Ethiopia Insider's publisher also called for his release on Tuesday and defended "his strong commitment to professional and ethical journalism".
Tesfalem has faced prison before. He spent roughly 440 days on charges of terrorism and incitement to violence after being arrested in 2014, with the charges only dropped weeks before former US President Barack Obama's visit.
Arrests of reporters have increased recently, with three from the English-language daily Addis Standard detained in April. The previous month, seven journalists from a broadcaster were detained.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018 and was initially hailed for his openness but rights groups have increasingly criticised a crackdown on freedom of speech in the sprawling nation.
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