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Conference Report: Resources and Proceedings 15Laws and regulations affecting the media in EthiopiaThere has been no formal legislation particularly regulating the media, and as such, prosecutionshave been based on the civil code. However, a new draft press law has been prepared by theGovernment and revised by expatriate media professionals pending endorsement by Parliament inthe next few months. There was a press law that was enacted during the period of the transitionalGovernment. This law although it has some deficiency, was a much better law than the oneproposed as the new draft law. The new draft law is largely criticized among members of themedia for being a legal ground for the Government to exercise full control over the flow ofinformation either to cripple media capacity to produce investigative stories or act as a watchdogto the use and abuse of power.Critics hold that the press law enacted during the period of transitional Government was closer tointernational standards of media freedom despite some deficiencies. Some even question thenecessity of having a separate press law to regulate media activity saying that a journalist shall betreated no differently than any other citizen and shall be prosecuted by the same laws that applyto other citizens. The draft press law stipulates that journalists violating the abiding terms setforth could face prison terms and fines based on the simplicity and complexity of the felony,according to the draft. Critics have also argued that a number of the stated felonies threaten thevery rights of Ethiopians to express their views and access to accurate information protected bythe Constitution.Abuse of the media and journalistsMedia and journalist abuse is portrayed by the cascade of fear among the publishing communityto express strong political dialogue that is critical of the existing policies and strategies. Manyjournalists now complain of self censorship, and the complaint has not been limited to the mediaoutlets, but has echoed further to the public at large. Many people have become increasinglyunwilling to comment on political issues and be quoted on anything that risks a chance of runninga possible interpretation of political repercussion. This has especially made the task of politicaljournalists extremely difficult.Personal experience and experiences of other journalistsMy journalistic experience has been relatively smooth in terms of incidents of harassment by theGovernment, compared to incidents of other colleagues who have passed through harshercircumstances while reporting clashes and other political activities. The most challengingproblem I faced took place during the October violence while I was assigned to do stories onfamilies of the victims of the deadly clash. And I encountered immense difficulties to completethe stories and publish them. A number of stories were delayed for lack of willing people whosevoices would complement the stories or discarded for last minute refusal of interviewees to havetheir word published on a newspaper. The refusals usually came following consultation withfamily members and friends who have advised them not to comment on anything for journalists.A noticeable challenge happened as I was assigned to cover a story on the families of those killedin the unrest in Addis Ababa. Friends and family members of a teenager victim whose words Itook had later refused to have their stores published for fear of persecution. Some have said thatthey have received warning signals from local authorities and security personnel not to divulgedetails about the situation and their discomfort.