ALTHOUGH STILL AT DRAFT STAGE, NEW TELECOMS RULES GIVE CAUSE FOR CONCERN

Reporters Without Borders wishes to correct a report published on its website on 7 June stating that the 2012 Proclamation on Telecom Fraud Offences had been ratified by the Ethiopian authorities. We understand that the document has not yet been approved, despite the fact that the agenda circulated to journalists covering Parliament on May 24 explicitly said:

Journalists: Ethiopia Refining Internet Censorship

JOHANNESBURG July 2, 2012 (AP)

The Committee to Protect Journalists says it appears Ethiopia is extending and refining its censorship of Internet news with a sophistication that could encourage other authoritarian regimes in Africa.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s government has been blocking major news sites and blog hosts since disputed general election results in 2005 led to violent protests. Voice Over Internet Protocol such as Skype also is blocked, forcing people to use the state telephone system.

Internet Intrusion: Increased Repression In Ethiopia

June 22, 2012

Internet Intrusion: Increased Repression In Ethiopia

By Graham Peebles    21 June, 2012
Countercurrents.org

London: Freedom of expression, of open and communication is a simple tellurian right, enshrined as such in a Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is not for a supervision – whose duty is to offer a people, to confirm who or indeed if it should be allowed. Although etched into a Ethiopian constitution, leisure in a several approved manifestations stays a anticipation for a people, who are increasingly controlled, indifferent and impoverished. The Ethiopian supervision underneath a care of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is commanding ever some-more difficult and odious measures of subjugation. If they could they would control and shorten a really atmosphere a people breath.

Ethiopia Shows That Congress Is Right to Be Worried About UN Control of a Internet

June 21, 2012

The new telecommunications law in Ethiopia that restricts a use of Internet-based voice and video communications is stability to beget online discussion. The following essay is created by Steve DelBianco, Executive Director during NetChoice.

Using Skype in Ethiopia Could Land You in Jail

Using Skype in Ethiopia Could Land You in Jail

June 16, 2012

 

The renouned Skype is one of a internet phone services influenced by Ethiopia’s new telecommunications law. (Photo: Skype)

Ethiopia criminalises Skype

June 15, 2012

The Ethiopian supervision has clamped down on Internet-based voice-calling services, creation their use a rapist offence. By Craig Wilson

Ethiopia’s state-owned Internet use provider, a Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation (Ethio-Telcom), has begun behaving deep-packet investigation of all Internet trade in a country. The country’s supervision recently ushered in new legislation that criminalises a use of services such as Skype, Google Talk and other forms of Internet phone calling.