| Home | Politics | Human Rights | Water | Economy | Education | Sci & Tech | Culture | Sport |
30 March, 2008
Addis Ababa, March 29, 2008 (Addis Ababa) - The draft press law was tabled for discussion here on Saturday.
Opening the discussion Information Minister Berhan Hailu said the new press law would encourage more people to engage in press works.
Pointing out that press plays important role in building the nation, Berhan said they have to discharge their responsibilities entrusted to them.
He further said that new private radio have begun operation while licenses are being issued to community radio.
Shimeles Kemal, one of the designers of the law, said international human rights conventions are the bases for the formulation of the press law.
The Ethiopian democratic policy and other relevant polices were used as inputs for the designing of the law, he added.
American Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Deborah Malac said on her part that Ethiopia has become one of the few countries who have adopted such law.
She said the American government has been extending assistance to the formulation of the law.
The Ethiopian Journalists Association, the Ethiopian Free Press Association, the Ethiopian National Press Union and Media Forum representatives forwarded suggestions that need to be included in the draft press law.