{"id":135596,"date":"2013-12-12T05:49:00","date_gmt":"2013-12-12T10:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mereja.com\/amharic\/?guid=e872c2466f68ddf256c553b555d6696d"},"modified":"2013-12-12T05:49:00","modified_gmt":"2013-12-12T10:49:00","slug":"a-new-journalists-association-is-under-formation-in-ethiopia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.net\/amharic\/135596","title":{"rendered":"A New Journalists Association is Under-formation in Ethiopia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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There are about eight journalists and media related associations in Ethiopia. None of them, however, have been heard speaking out for either jailed or exiled journalists. Ethiopia is one of the highest jailor of journalists (CPJ, names it 2nd<\/sup> where as Addis Standard, a local media, named it 3rd<\/sup>in its December issue). According to Article 19, twelve Ethiopian journalists are prosecuted in \u201crelation to terrorism\u201d. On the other hand, one of the famous \u201cjournalists association\u201d \u2013 Ethiopian National Journalists Union (ENJU \u2013 IFJ member) president, Anteneh Abrham told Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency that he feels proud that Ethiopia hasn\u2019t jailed any journalist for what s\/he has written. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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The Press Release (Amharic)<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
It is in this time of desperation a committee of eight independent journalists initiated a formation of a new \u201cEthiopian Journalists Forum (EJF)\u201d. The committee called for \u2018founding meeting\u2019 today, Dec 12\/2013 at Ethiopian Hotel where more than 20 journalists attended. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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The committee, in its presser, mentioned that \u2018the Forum under-formation will independently work to support and upgrade the professionalism of journalists in particular and the media in general\u2019.  It also added that its goals include working:<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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  1. for the respect of Freedom of Expression granted in the FDRE constitution article 30;<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. for the benefit of journalists;<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  3. for promoting professional excellence of journalists through trainings;<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  4. for strengthening the relationship\/communication among journalists;<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  5.  <\/span><\/span>for facilitation of financial, material and legal support whenever needed;<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  6. for recognizing journalists who are contributing positively to the sector; <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    The committee, in its response to questions raised by attendants of the meeting expressed that it recognizes the challenge (jailing and exiling) of journalists and the \u2018Forum\u2019 aims to elevate it \u2013 and this has been mentioned as a major point that distinguishes the new \u2018Forum\u2019 from other existing \u2018Journalists Associations\u2019.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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    Before the conclusion of the meeting, Journalist Ayalew Asres (from the now defunct Negadras newspaper) gave the following comments so that the committee should consider before it calls for general assembly:<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

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