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IPI
says concerned about gov't 'failure to grant publishing licenses
to Journalists'
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ADDIS
ABEBA(August 15,2008)-
The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network
of editors, media executives and leading journalists in over 120 countries,
on Wednesday expressed its concerns to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
about the need to grant publishing licenses to the journalists Serkalem
Fasil, Eskinder Nega, and Sisay Agena.
"(IPI) is deeply concerned about the government's continued failure
to grant publishing licenses to the independent journalists Serkalem
Fasil, Eskinder Nega, and Sisay Agena", Michael Kudlak, Deputy
Director of the institute said in a letter sent to the primer.
According to information before IPI, the three journalists applied
for publishing licenses for two Amharic-language weeklies in September
2007.
Although the Ministry of Information conceded that all legal requirements
had been fulfilled, the letter seen by The Daily Monitor said adding
that "five months after their applications were filed, on 1 January
2008, the head of the Press Licensing & Permit Office, Fantahun
Ares, informed them that their applications had been denied."
The letter said when the journalists requested a reason for the denial,
the journalists were referred to the prime Minister's office.
"To this date, no adequate explanation for the rejection of these
applications has been provided".
The three journalists were imprisoned during the aftermath of the
2005 elections and freed in 2007.
"(The journalists) should not be deprived, yet again, of their
right to free expression", it added.
IPI, in conclusion urged the primer to do the necessary actions to
ensure that the publishing licenses are granted to the journalists.
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