Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Saturday, October 1, 2016
New wave of crackdown: Blogger Seyoum Teshome arrested
By abenezer_a
While Zone9 Bloggers are still defending their appeal, Blogger Eskinder Nega and Zelalem workagnehu are serving 17 years and 5 years in prison respectively. Today,another independent blogger and social media activists has been taken away by security Forces. Multiple social media Reports indicate that Seyoum Teshome has been taken away by security forces. He is a Lecturer at Ambo University Woliso Campus and head of Management Department and studied Management at Harameya University and MBA at Mekelle University. He writes on Pro government blog (Horn affairs) and on his own blog (EthioThinkthank)
Seyoum is a longtime social media activist on online platform, he has been closely following the developments in the country every since #OromoProtest erupted. social media platforms hasnt been safe place to express opinion freely especially since the arrest of Zone9 bloggers. it can be also be recalled that Journalist Getachew shiferaw and online activist Yonathan Tesfaye were arrested in December 2015 who later charged with terrorism accused of inciting violence through social media. They still remain in Jail despite pressure from the international community. Woliso town where Seyoum teaches has been the epicenter of #OromoProtest in December 2015. Seyoum has been reporting and sharing his critical reflection on social media thus far. His comments has appeared on international medias such Newyork times and the guardian . Several times,He has been interviewed by diaspora based news outlets that focus on Ethiopia.
#OromoProtest Riot in Waliso
“My attempts to reach him via his phone ended unsuccessfully,” said Befeqadu. Seyoum Teshome has been among the critical voice on social media. The Ethiopian government has intensified its crack down on critical voices using the infamous anti terrorism law. Online activists have been constantly blamed by the government for the ongoing anti-government protests across the country. It can be recalled that, On June 7, 2016, To intensify crack down on online activists the rubber stamp parliament has approved a new computer proclamation . Ethiopia is now carrying out a new wave crackdown. Yesterday Daughter of Bekele Gerba, Bontu Gerba was detained and released after security forces took 1000 copies of an upcoming book written by her father.
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According to Girma Guterma (a social media activitst) his house has been searched and belongings has been confiscated. Seyoum's Whereabout is still Unkown. a recently released blogger pointed that due to the house search, its unlikely that he is simply detained for a shortwhile. he could be in makelawi where dissents are tortured
Ethiopia remain a hostile place for critical voices, despite calls from the united states and other affluent nations to give spaces and amend the anti-Terrorism law, the Ethiopian government has continued to muzzle Freedom of expression. Following the adoption of the anti-terrorism law and charity and society law. several civil society organizations have been closed and many journalists have been forced live in exile. Due to the absence of independent medias,social media has emerged to be the only platform to vent dissatisfaction and a platform to give a coverage about the ongoing political and Human right crisis in Ethiopia. Internet blockout had happened several times on the continuing struggle for Freedom mainly in Oromia and Amhara regions to limit the flow of information coming out from Ethiopia. The lawless state has made it tough for journalists from other countries to report, many Foreign News correspondents have been detained and released in the past few months only. On a recent Visit to Newyork, Prime minister hailemariam Desalegn addressing the UN Underscored that “Social media has certainly empowered populists and other extremists to exploit people’s genuine concerns and spread their message of hate and bigotry without any inhibition.” The prime minster is known for his odd and logically flawed comment about bloggers, activists and the political crisis in general.
Predictably, Pro government voices defended seyoum's arrest Interpreting his critical reflections as hate speech, Old and tired tactic used by Ethiopian government to silences Journalists, bloggers critical of the regime.
While Zone9 Bloggers are still defending their appeal, Blogger Eskinder Nega and Zelalem workagnehu are serving 17 years and 5 years in prison respectively. Today,another independent blogger and social media activists has been taken away by security Forces. Multiple social media Reports indicate that Seyoum Teshome has been taken away by security forces. He is a Lecturer at Ambo University Woliso Campus and head of Management Department and studied Management at Harameya University and MBA at Mekelle University. He writes on Pro government blog (Horn affairs) and on his own blog (EthioThinkthank)
 |
| picture taken from his facebook |
#OromoProtest Riot in Waliso
“My attempts to reach him via his phone ended unsuccessfully,” said Befeqadu. Seyoum Teshome has been among the critical voice on social media. The Ethiopian government has intensified its crack down on critical voices using the infamous anti terrorism law. Online activists have been constantly blamed by the government for the ongoing anti-government protests across the country. It can be recalled that, On June 7, 2016, To intensify crack down on online activists the rubber stamp parliament has approved a new computer proclamation . Ethiopia is now carrying out a new wave crackdown. Yesterday Daughter of Bekele Gerba, Bontu Gerba was detained and released after security forces took 1000 copies of an upcoming book written by her father.
.
According to Girma Guterma (a social media activitst) his house has been searched and belongings has been confiscated. Seyoum's Whereabout is still Unkown. a recently released blogger pointed that due to the house search, its unlikely that he is simply detained for a shortwhile. he could be in makelawi where dissents are tortured
Ethiopia remain a hostile place for critical voices, despite calls from the united states and other affluent nations to give spaces and amend the anti-Terrorism law, the Ethiopian government has continued to muzzle Freedom of expression. Following the adoption of the anti-terrorism law and charity and society law. several civil society organizations have been closed and many journalists have been forced live in exile. Due to the absence of independent medias,social media has emerged to be the only platform to vent dissatisfaction and a platform to give a coverage about the ongoing political and Human right crisis in Ethiopia. Internet blockout had happened several times on the continuing struggle for Freedom mainly in Oromia and Amhara regions to limit the flow of information coming out from Ethiopia. The lawless state has made it tough for journalists from other countries to report, many Foreign News correspondents have been detained and released in the past few months only. On a recent Visit to Newyork, Prime minister hailemariam Desalegn addressing the UN Underscored that “Social media has certainly empowered populists and other extremists to exploit people’s genuine concerns and spread their message of hate and bigotry without any inhibition.” The prime minster is known for his odd and logically flawed comment about bloggers, activists and the political crisis in general.
Predictably, Pro government voices defended seyoum's arrest Interpreting his critical reflections as hate speech, Old and tired tactic used by Ethiopian government to silences Journalists, bloggers critical of the regime.
Ethiopia is ranked 142 in press freedom index, it remain not free based on the latest report of freedom house. According to CPJ, Ethiopia has the second highest number of jailed Journalists in Africa after Eritrea. For the past 6 years, since 2010, 60 Ethiopian journalists have fled into exile, together with the 30 in 2014 alone, according to Human right watch. Bloggers,journalists and any independent voices face serious harassment and threat of prosecution under the 2009 Anti- Terrorism law proclamation.
New wave of crack down: Blogger Seyoum Teshome arrested
By Ethiopian press
While Zone9 Bloggers are still defending their appeal, Blogger Eskinder Nega and Zelalem workagnehu are serving 17 years and 5 years in prison respectively. Today,another independent blogger and social media activists has been taken away by security Forces. Multiple social media Reports indicate that Seyoum Teshome has been taken away by security forces. He is a Lecturer at Ambo University Woliso Campus and head of Management Department and studied Management at Harameya University and MBA at Mekelle University. He writes on Pro government blog (Horn affairs) and on his own blog (EthioThinkthank)
Seyoum is a longtime social media activist on online platform, he has been closely following the developments in the country every since #OromoProtest erupted. social media platforms hasnt been safe place to express opinion freely especially since the arrest of Zone9 bloggers. it can be also be recalled that Journalist Getachew shiferaw and online activist Yonathan Tesfaye were arrested in December 2015 who later charged with terrorism accused of inciting violence through social media. They still remain in Jail despite pressure from the international community. Woliso campus where Seyoum teaches has been the epicenter of #OromoProtest in December 2015. Seyoum has been reporting and sharing his critical reflection on social media thus far. His comments has appeared on international medias such Newyork times and the guardian . Several times,He has been interviewed by diaspora based news outlets that focus on Ethiopia.
#OromoProtest Riot in Waliso
“My attempts to reach him via his phone ended unsuccessfully,” said Befeqadu. Seyoum Teshome has been among the critical voice on social media. The Ethiopian government has intensified its crack down on critical voices using the infamous anti terrorism law. Online activists have been constantly blamed by the government for the ongoing anti-government protests across the country. It can be recalled that On June 7, 2016, To intensify crack down on online activists the rubber stamp parliament has approved a new computer proclamation . Ethiopia is now carrying out a new wave crackdown. Yesterday Daughter of Bekele Gerba Bontu Gerba was detained and released after security forces took 1000 copies of an upcoming book written by her father.
.
According to Girma Guterma (a social media activitst) his house has been searched and belongings has been confiscated. Seyoum's Whereabout is still Unkown. a recently released blogger pointed that due to the house search, its unlikely that he is simply detained for a shortwhile. he could be in makelawi where dissents are tortured
Ethiopia remain a hostile place for critical voices, despite calls from the united states and other affluent nations to give spaces and amend the anti-Terrorism law, the Ethiopian government has continued to muzzle Freedom of expression. Following the adoption of the anti-terrorism law and charity and society law. several civil society organizations have been closed and many journalists have been forced live in exile. Due to the absence of independent medias,social media has emerged to be the only platform to vent dissatisfaction and a platform to give a coverage about the ongoing political and Human right crisis in Ethiopia. Internet blockout had happened several times on the continuing struggle for Freedom mainly in Oromia and Amhara regions to limit the flow of information coming out from Ethiopia. The lawless state has made it tough for journalists from other countries to report, many Foreign News correspondents have been detained and released in the past few months only. On a recent Visit to Newyork, Prime minister hailemariam Desalegn addressing the UN Underscored that “Social media has certainly empowered populists and other extremists to exploit people’s genuine concerns and spread their message of hate and bigotry without any inhibition.” The prime minster is known for his odd and logically flawed comment about bloggers, activists and the political crisis in general.
Predictably, Pro government voice Seyoum's defended seyoum's arrest Interpreting his critical reflections as hate speech. A long and tired tactic used by Ethiopian government to silences Journalists, bloggers critical of the regime.
Ethiopia is ranked 142 in press freedom index, It remains not Free based on the latest report of Freedom house. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Ethiopia had the second-highest number of jailed journalists in Africa after Eritrea. As per Human Rights Watch, since 2010, 60 Ethiopian journalists have "
While Zone9 Bloggers are still defending their appeal, Blogger Eskinder Nega and Zelalem workagnehu are serving 17 years and 5 years in prison respectively. Today,another independent blogger and social media activists has been taken away by security Forces. Multiple social media Reports indicate that Seyoum Teshome has been taken away by security forces. He is a Lecturer at Ambo University Woliso Campus and head of Management Department and studied Management at Harameya University and MBA at Mekelle University. He writes on Pro government blog (Horn affairs) and on his own blog (EthioThinkthank)
|
| picture taken from his facebook |
#OromoProtest Riot in Waliso
“My attempts to reach him via his phone ended unsuccessfully,” said Befeqadu. Seyoum Teshome has been among the critical voice on social media. The Ethiopian government has intensified its crack down on critical voices using the infamous anti terrorism law. Online activists have been constantly blamed by the government for the ongoing anti-government protests across the country. It can be recalled that On June 7, 2016, To intensify crack down on online activists the rubber stamp parliament has approved a new computer proclamation . Ethiopia is now carrying out a new wave crackdown. Yesterday Daughter of Bekele Gerba Bontu Gerba was detained and released after security forces took 1000 copies of an upcoming book written by her father.
.
According to Girma Guterma (a social media activitst) his house has been searched and belongings has been confiscated. Seyoum's Whereabout is still Unkown. a recently released blogger pointed that due to the house search, its unlikely that he is simply detained for a shortwhile. he could be in makelawi where dissents are tortured
Ethiopia remain a hostile place for critical voices, despite calls from the united states and other affluent nations to give spaces and amend the anti-Terrorism law, the Ethiopian government has continued to muzzle Freedom of expression. Following the adoption of the anti-terrorism law and charity and society law. several civil society organizations have been closed and many journalists have been forced live in exile. Due to the absence of independent medias,social media has emerged to be the only platform to vent dissatisfaction and a platform to give a coverage about the ongoing political and Human right crisis in Ethiopia. Internet blockout had happened several times on the continuing struggle for Freedom mainly in Oromia and Amhara regions to limit the flow of information coming out from Ethiopia. The lawless state has made it tough for journalists from other countries to report, many Foreign News correspondents have been detained and released in the past few months only. On a recent Visit to Newyork, Prime minister hailemariam Desalegn addressing the UN Underscored that “Social media has certainly empowered populists and other extremists to exploit people’s genuine concerns and spread their message of hate and bigotry without any inhibition.” The prime minster is known for his odd and logically flawed comment about bloggers, activists and the political crisis in general.
Predictably, Pro government voice Seyoum's defended seyoum's arrest Interpreting his critical reflections as hate speech. A long and tired tactic used by Ethiopian government to silences Journalists, bloggers critical of the regime.
Ethiopia is ranked 142 in press freedom index, It remains not Free based on the latest report of Freedom house. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Ethiopia had the second-highest number of jailed journalists in Africa after Eritrea. As per Human Rights Watch, since 2010, 60 Ethiopian journalists have "
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
UN report promotes encryption as fundamental and protected right
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A meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression David Kaye is due to present his report on encryption there on June 17. (Reuters/Denis Balibouse)
On Wednesday, Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression David Kaye will present his report on international legal protection for encryption and anonymity to the United Nations Human Rights Council. The report is an important contribution to the security conversation at a time when some Western leaders are calling for ill-informed and impossible loopholes in technology--a trend that facilitates surveillance and tends to enable states that openly seek to repress journalists.
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Ethiopia, which aggressively prosecuted a group known as the "Zone 9" bloggers for participating in email encryption training, is one such state. Authorities there jail more journalists than any other country in Africa, other than Eritrea, and it is the fourth most censored country in the world, according to CPJ research. The Ethiopian government is suspected of conducting widespread surveillance inside the county and of hacking the computers of journalists living overseas.
"In a country like Ethiopia where journalists are consistently watched, [we] need to protect their communications and their data to do reports on sensitive issues," Endalkachew H/Michael, one of the co-founders of Zone 9, told CPJ by email. "If a journalist cannot protect her communication with her sources, she cannot practice journalism."
Michael, who left Ethiopia to study for his doctorate in media studies at the University of Oregon, added: "I believe encryption is a lifeblood for freedom of expression."
In his report, Kaye urged states to promote strong encryption and anonymity through legislation and regulation. The report recommended eschewing restrictions on encryption and anonymity "which facilitate and often enable the rights to freedom of opinion and expression." Kaye said measures by states that weaken security online posed a "serious threat" to freedom of expression, and suggested that some common state practices and proposals were in violation of international law. The report described blanket measures such as encryption backdoors, weak encryption standards, and the holding of encryption keys inescrow as deeply problematic, and concluded that "measures that impose generally applicable restrictions on massive numbers of persons, without a case-by-case assessment," are almost certainly illegal.
In order to satisfy international proportionality principles, the report said, forced decryption by governments must be made on a case-by-case basis, constrained by law, and subject to judicial warrant.
The report went further, acknowledging that state regulation of encryption can be "tantamount to a ban[.]" It condemned the regulatory practices of countries including Pakistan, Cuba, and Ethiopia, noting that they interfered with the right of individuals to encrypt communication. The report supported anonymous and pseudonymous speech, and denounced rules that require users to identify themselves as a precondition to communication. Finally, it urged privately owned companies to refrain from blocking or limiting encrypted communication and topermit anonymous communication.
Why encryption by default is necessary
Kaye's recommendations get to the core of why encryption by default is so necessary. He has brushed aside technically impossible rhetoric and dismissed false legal narratives that serve to reinforce the power of states to censor, surveil and harass journalists.
Under international law, state action that restricts freedom of expression must meet an exacting legal test. First, any limitations must be provided for by law. Second, they must be imposed on legitimate grounds. Third, they must be necessary and proportionate. As enablers of the right to freedom of expression, any restrictions on encryption or anonymity must conform to the same standards, Kaye argues in his report. And that means restrictions on encryption or anonymity are especially likely to fail the third prong because "blanket prohibitions fail to be necessary and proportionate."
Like the right to freedom of expression, encryption and anonymity also enable individuals to form and hold opinions. Unlike freedom of expression the right to hold opinions is absolute--a key distinction Kaye identified as an independent but related basis for protecting privacy-enhancing tools.
Kaye told CPJ that technology was generating new threats to which existing legal principles must apply, adding, "How can a person develop opinions about the world without access to receive information, especially online?"
An attorney, Kaye is realistic about the limits of law for regulating government behavior. As he notes in his report, many states have explicit protection for journalist-source communication. Nonetheless, "States often breach source anonymity in practice, even where it is provided for in law." His report emphasized the need for journalists and others to have the freedom to protect themselves, an astute argument given the borderless nature of the Internet.
For Ali Nikouei, an Iranian blogger who said he was forced to flee, the need for protection is a stark reality. "A journalist [or] an activist who wants to, for example, organize a protest, who wants to have a connection with a news agency outside of Iran ... they have problems," Nikouei told CPJ at the Circumvention Tech Festival in Valencia, Spain, in March. Nikouei, who said he was arrested and held for three months in Iran in 2009, added: "The government is listening to their conversations. The government does everything it can."
Kaye's report gives further momentum to CPJ's vital work. We are engaged with the U.N., the American government, companies, and newsrooms to help make encryption by default a reality in 2015-- a shift that would protect journalists, sources, readers, and other end-users automatically. CPJ converted its site to HTTPs-only earlier this year, which helped us successfully advocate for security improvements at institutions such as Knight Media Lab at Northwestern University and investigative journalism nonprofit ProPublica. Additionally, CPJ will host a technology summit in San Francisco this week to press for the uniform adoption of security best practices in newsrooms.
The momentum for enhanced security is building. The Let's Encrypt project aims to provide free, automated, and open HTTPS certificates to the public within several months. On June 12, Wikipedia announced that its site would convert to HTTPS by default, a process in which the international blogging network Global Voices is also engaged, and which The New York Times is exploring. And, at the same time that it was pressuring Apple and other tech companies to build backdoors into their devices, the U.S. government announced on June 8 that it would move to HTTPS-only for all publicly accessible federal websites and Web services.
To Kaye, the link between press freedom and technology is clear. "[G]overnments are using a variety of technologies and approaches either for mass surveillance or for targeted attacks on and surveillance of activists, journalists, civil society organizations, and others, and some [governments] use technology to block access to information," Kaye told CPJ by email. "Individuals use tools like encryption and anonymizing platforms to protect themselves and their privacy or legitimately gain access to information."
He added: "Those tools need to be protected to allow exercise of fundamental rights to opinion and expression. Restricting these tools restricts exercise of the rights."
Kaye's report drew on submissions from states and civil society organizations -- including a joint letter submitted by CPJ and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, which can be read here.
Source: https://www.cpj.
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