SECTOR 4

Journalists working for state media would not be allowed to join a trade union
because they are public servants. The International Labour Organisation (ILO)
has demanded that this restriction be lifted by a change in the labour law.
Examples of the many associations legally registered and operating in the country
are the Ethiopian Journalists Association, the Ethiopian Women Media Society
and the Free Press Journalists Association. Others groups such as photographers
or environmental journalists have organised themselves in their own specialised
organisations. An attempt to form a Publishers’ Association was short-lived.
The polarisation of the media also characterises the professional associations:
some are focused on state, others on private media. Most young and upcoming
journalists are reluctant to join, although the associations insist that their doors
remain open to all.
With the enactment of the Charities and Societies Proclamation these institutions
now face major financial problems (see indicator 1.11).

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: 			

2.6

Average score for sector 4:

2.5

Overall Country Score: 2.7

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ETHIOPIA 2010

59

Select target paragraph3