German broadcaster DW protests ban on two journalists in Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia has "permanently suspended" two journalists working for Deutsche Welle (DW), the German broadcaster said Friday, condemning the move as "unacceptable".

Ethiopia faces regular criticism from rights groups for curbing public freedoms.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked it 145th out of 180 countries this year in the group's annual press freedom index, down four places from 2024.

In October, the Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) ordered nine of DW's journalists to stop working temporarily.

Seven were cleared to resume work this week, the broadcaster said.

In a statement, DW said it "strongly protests" the permanent suspension of two correspondents, adding there were no "concrete reasons" behind the decision.

According to the broadcaster, the EMA cited "continued non-compliance with Ethiopian laws and professional ethics" and the publication of "misleading information". DW rejected the accusations and said it was considering legal action.

The two journalists had been covering events in Tigray -- the scene of a devastating 2020-2022 conflict -- and Amhara, where federal forces have battled rebels for several years.

"It is unacceptable that our two correspondents must stop their work without any concrete explanation," said DW editor-in-chief Manuela Kasper-Claridge.

In a statement sent to AFP, RSF denounced the "arbitrary decision" and urged Ethiopia to "end intimidation targeting the broadcaster's Amharic service".

Several journalists have been arrested in Ethiopia in recent months, and RSF says five remain in detention.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was initially praised for opening up civil life when he came to power in 2018, after nearly three decades of authoritarian rule by the Tigray People's Liberation Front.

But rights groups accuse him of quickly reneging on those early promises, especially after the country was plunged into a devastating civil war in 2020.