Freedoms Under Fire: New Media Law Walks Back Years Of Progress

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

57% : During public discussions over the proposed changes, representatives from human rights organizations, civil society organizations (CSOs), media professionals and MPs praised key provisions in the original proclamation designed to insulate the EMA from political influence.
57% : Another journalist that spent months in detention during the two-year northern war for reporting on content that diverged from government narratives says the new law and the associated restrictions have long been in the making.
55% : " He raises concerns about the new law's potential to stifle media freedom, particularly through political influence.
53% : The enacted amended media proclamation allows individuals affiliated with political parties to be board members," he stated. ‎"Most of these individuals, who hold political interests and motivations and have ties with the ruling political party in an official or roundabout form can now preside over meetings that decide over the closure of media outlets.
53% : ‎The document also stresses the importance of protecting media freedom from political interference.
52% : It paves the way for formalizing a reality in which independent oversight is subservient to political expediency.
52% : ‎The recommendations highlighted worries about provisions that could lead to the consolidation of political influence within media outlets.
51% : EMA is the only authority and public institution that is given mandates but not given power.
50% : "Our position from the start was that board members should be neutral, non-political professionals -- people who are available and committed.
44% : He fears that if these reports lead to complaints or conflicts, the body expected to resolve the matter might consist of individuals with political interests or ties to the ruling party.
39% : Legal experts, critics, and media professionals, including the Ethiopian Media Council (EMC) have warned that the new law opens the door for political interference, silences public voices, and hands the Media Authority's Director-General sweeping powers against the board over matters pertaining to complaints against the press.

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