Ethiopia: A plea to save two newspapers

After the police confiscated computers and printers followed by shunning of their printing press two newspapers are on the verge to suspend their job.

Al-quds and Salafiya newspapers editors were arrested for what The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) described as critical journalism, before they were released on bail of 20,000 Birr. The committee condemned the arrest and asked immediate return of the all confiscated equipments.

In interview made by Negashi radio (listen to Radio Negashi )with Alquds editor, Ato Izadin, and his wife Maria who have been arrested with her husband expressed the daunting challenges that they are facing to continue their job. Ato Izadin said the amount of the money they paid for bail is un-proportional and too much for them. The editors were accused for publishing a widely circulated letter allegedly written by Elias Redman, vice chairman of federal Islamic affairs to the security forces. In the letter Ato Elias calls the security forces to take action against all who oppose a new regulation issued by ministry of education (MOE) on religious practices in public and private education institutions. The new draft faced firm opposition by Muslims at home and abroad and branded it as un-constitutional. Elias Redman accuses in the letter the two newspapers for mobilizing the Muslims against the new draft which he has given his consensus and urges the withdrawal of their permission licenses.

Elias Redman denied that he had issued the letter, however all actions reported since then were according to the content of the letter. Beside their arrest and that of Harar, which was reported earlier, W/ro Maria said that the the security forces asked her to hand over the license by the security forces.

It is not the first time that Alquds editor, Ezadin, to be arrested .He has been arrested in December last year after an apparent order from Elias Redman. He was released after 6 days of detention without any charge.

The editors did not preach any law however, their follow up and criticism of manipulating Muslim affairs by individuals who are apparently after their personal interest at the expense of that of Muslim mass is what made them a target. It should be hailed that the judiciary system is showing some kind of independence that at least they were released though their full freedom has yet to be restored.

Realizing that bringing the editors to justice would not achieve the objective which is to silence the newspapers, new options are being opted. It is to make them pay a price for each and every plot they expose or any criticism that they direct to the corrupt individuals. Not only would this intimidate the editors but waste their valuable time in prison, not to mention the huge sum and hard conditions attached as a bail. On the top of this, the printing press has denied them to print their newspaper which is apparently due to pressure. This would double the newspapers` printing cost as they have to use private sect as Ato Ezadin said. The editors have already been at practically impossible stage to continue their service after their equipments were confiscated by security forces and the move by the printing press make the dream to black out these newspapers imminent.In fact one of the newspapers could not manage to appear so far according to CPJ.

Now it is time to all concerned bodies to save these newspapers. The editors, one of them with his wife, spent in prison for the sake of the truth that all Muslims need. They spent their time and resources for the sake of their readers. Apparently they did all they could and now onward they need their readers, those concerned with Muslims affairs and those who are for press freedom more than any time. Elias Redaman has the financial resources and exposure to media (local and international) that if the truth is with him he could have his message easily get through. Silencing others voices is cowardly and totalitarian act which should not be tolerated. Unfortunately this is what is happening.

Silencing these two newspapers would leave Muslims without any information of what is going on and what is being done in their name. Media is the most powerful weapon in the contemporary world.This is a test to Ethiopian muslims and in no way they should allow these newspapers perish so easily. Saving these two newspapers should be the top priority of all Ethiopian Muslims. Without them, it would be hard to hear of what is going on, including the MOE draft and other important issues. This is a peaceful way to bring down self appointed, selfish leaders who use the affairs of the ummah to personal end. We all Muslims, without exception, may not agree with the attitude of the newspapers nor do we take all their content as an absolute, but we should be UNITED against silencing them. If one doesn’t agree, the best way to address is by issuing a new newspaper and getting the “other opinion” get to the Muslims mass. Such diversity in the newspapers would be a treasure while circulating and exchanging opinions in a peaceful way is what we need and must be encouraged. However, clear message should be sent to those who want to silence the existing ones by making Muslims completely voiceless. The best message is to standby these newspapers so that they will continue their sevice.