It has been reported that Journalist Temesgen Dessalegn and Misgan Zinabe, the Fitih magazine editor were arrested today and taken to Addis Ababa Police Commission. They are being investigated over allegations of defamation, sedition and violation of the country’s Communications Act.I call on the government to immediately cease its criminal investigation into journalists Temesgen and Misgan. Their reporting was fair and balanced and they should be free to do their jobs without fear of retribution from the government. They were simply doing their job and they should not be treated like criminals. Journalism is not a crime, yet the principles of free speech and a free press are threatened in our country. Once again the government should immediately drop its investigation and if not this will be a confirmation that the genuine reform we all dreamed of in Ethiopia is going backwards not forwards.Today, Ethiopia is in so many crisis. Let us consider the peril of all our people—not only of our own ethnic (tribe)—and rise up in defense. If we do not, Ethiopians’ hopes for a just, peaceful Ethiopia and harmonious society may only be an elusive dream. Never lose hope and do not be discouraged until freedom and justice prevail.
