SECTOR 1 The inclusion of causing “serious interference or disruption of any public service” in this list is a point of concern: This could compromise the right to freedom of expression and journalists could face terrorism charges if, for example, a report on a certain public service provider resulted in a strike. “Moral support” for a “terrorist act” or “terrorist organization” is – according to article 5 – “punishable with rigorous imprisonment from 10 to 15 years”. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 2.0 1.4 Government makes every effort to honour regional and international instruments on freedom of expression and the media. Ethiopia is a signatory to many international and regional instruments on freedom of expression. Some of these instruments ratified by Ethiopia include: The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Article 19 states: 1. 2. 3. 14 Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice. The exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of this article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary: a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ETHIOPIA 2010