Department of Political Science and International Relations

Proclamation to Provide for Freedom of the Mass Media and Access

to Information, Proclamation No. 590/2008: A Review

Media Politics and Political Communication

Name: ID Number:
1. Yohannes Asfaw……………UGR/1689/13
2. Cherenet ……………………UGR/ /13
3. Yeabsera…………………….UGR/ /13
4. Lidya…………………………UGR/ /13
5. Gelila…………………………UGR/ /13

Submission date: January 19, 2023

Submitted to: Shimellis Hailu (Assistant Professor of IR)
Abstract
According to Proclamation No. 590/2008, freedom of the media and access to information are
key principles that should be upheld in Ethiopia. The proclamation guarantees the right to
freedom of expression and freedom of the press, as well as the right to access to information. It
also guarantees the right to establish and operate media outlets without prior authorization. The
proclamation has been cited by international organizations such as Amnesty International as a
step in the right direction, but there are still some areas that need improvement. The
proclamation outlines the legal parameters for information access and media freedom. It ensures
that everyone has the freedom to express oneself and to gather and share knowledge without
hindrance. Additionally, it ensures that journalists may report without worrying about retaliation.
The proclamation guarantees that all media organizations can function freely and without
concern for censorship or suppression.

When you read Proclamation No. 590/2008, you could believe it's a big step toward media
freedom in Ethiopia. However, you need to be aware of the difficulties that come with putting it
into practice. One of the primary issues, according to the text, is that the government still
maintains influence over electronic media. In other words, private radio and television stations
are still subject to censorship because the declaration does not apply to them. Furthermore, there
is a barrier for individuals who want to launch their own stations because the government has not
established any procedures for giving broadcast licenses for independent media outlets. On the
positive note, the proclamation has partially enabled medias providers to work freely and
without fear of censorship or prosecution by the Ethiopian government, specifically under the
rule of the Prosperity Party, which has brought advantages and disadvantages of its own.

Proclamation No. 590/2008, while it’s positive step forward in protecting press freedom, still has
some limitations that limit its impact on freedom of the press and access to information. The
Ethiopian government has made strides in recent years to ensure freedom of expression, but the
current situation has left much to be desired. Ultimately, Proclamation No. 590/2008 is a step in
the right direction for Ethiopia and its citizens, but more needs to be done to protect and promote
freedom of expression in the country.
Introduction
 The Ethiopian Proclamation to Provide for Freedom of the Mass Media and Access to
Information, Proclamation No. 590/2008 was put into effect in 2008 by Ethiopian People's
Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) in order to promote freedom of the mass media and
access to information in Ethiopia. The proclamation sets out the rights and responsibilities of
both the government and the media. It also establishes an independent media authority that is
responsible for regulating the media and ensuring compliance with the provisions of the
proclamation. Overall, this proclamation is a strong statement in support of freedom of
information. It has been widely praised by journalists and human rights groups, however it is
criticized for not being implemented correctly into the media politics of the state.

In this paper, we will take a closer look at Proclamation No. 590/2008 and its impact on freedom
of the mass media and access to information in Ethiopia. We will also discuss both the pros and
cons of this proclamation, the challenges, impacts and what implications it has for the people of
Ethiopia.

Proclamation No. 590/2008, also known as the Freedom of Mass Media and Access to
Information Proclamation, was drafted with the intention of protecting freedom of the mass
media and access to information in Ethiopia. The proclamation guarantees freedom of
expression, prohibits censorship, and guarantees the right to information. It also establishes an
independent media council to regulate the media sector. Despite its good intentions, the
proclamation has not had the desired effect. The media council has been ineffective for many
years, and journalists continue to be arrested and harassed. The EPRDF party was known to
quickly shut down websites and social media platforms that are critical of the government.

The proclamation lays out the legal framework for freedom of the mass media and access to
information. It guarantees the right of all citizens to express themselves freely and to receive and
disseminate information without interference. It also guarantees the right of journalists to report
without fear of reprisal. This includes the right to protect their sources of information. The
proclamation ensures that all media outlets are free to operate without fear of censorship or
suppression.

The proclamation has five objectives: To ensure that the Ethiopian people have access to
information; To protect freedom of the media; To promote professionalism among journalists;
To establish a regulatory body for the media; and to protect the rights of journalists. The
following are some of the rights that are provided by Proclamation No. 590/2008: The right to
freedom of expression, which includes the right to seek, receive, and impart information and
ideas of all kinds through any medium. The right to access information, which includes the right
to information that is accurate, complete, and objective. The right to establish and operate private
media outlets. The right to freedom of association, which includes the right to form and join
trade unions and professional associations.

If you are a citizen of Ethiopia, it means that you have the right to access information from any
media outlet, without fear of retribution. You have the right to express yourself freely and
without fear of censorship. You have the right to criticize the government, and to hold it
accountable for its actions. These are just a few of the rights enshrined in Proclamation No.
590/2008.
When reading the Proclamation No. 590/2008 you would think it's a great step torward freedom
of the mass media in Ethiopia, but you must be aware of the challenges associated with
implementing it. According to the text, one of the main challenges is that the government still
has control over electronic media. In other words, the proclamation does not apply to private
television or radio stations, meaning that they are still subject to censorship. Furthermore, the
government has not put in any procedures for granting broadcast licenses for private media
outlets, creating a roadblock for those who want to start up their own stations. Finally, even
though Proclamation No. 590/2008 states that everyone should be able to access information
from public sources, there is still no enforcement mechanism in place to ensure this right is
respected.

The proclamation does not provide for freedom of the mass media and access to information.
Our analysis of the proclamation shows that it falls short of providing for freedom of the mass
media and access to information. The proclamation is vague and incomplete, and it does not
provide a clear definition of these concepts. Furthermore, the proclamation fails to protect
freedom of expression and opinion. It does not guarantee that journalists will be able to report
freely on events, and it does not prohibit the government from censoring the media. Overall, the
proclamation does not provide for a free and open media environment in Ethiopia.

On the positive side, proclamation No. 590/2008 has had a huge impact on the media and access
to information in Ethiopia. This Proclamation has partially enabled some journalists, bloggers,
and other media providers to work freely and without fear prosecution by the Ethiopian
government. It has increased access to news and information, allowed for more diversity of
opinions and views which sometimes might have catastrophic consequences, and it has also
helped to foster an environment of free speech. The Proclamation has also led to greater
accountability in government by making it easier for citizens to track public officials’ activities.
With the Ethiopian government now being led by the Prosperity Party, there is hope that this
trend of greater press freedom will continue.
You might be wondering what the Ethiopian government Prosperity Party’s stance is on
Proclamation No. 590/2008 and the freedom of the mass media. After all, it is the current ruling
regime in Ethiopian politics and its views are worth listening to. The Prosperity Party has
generally been supportive of Proclamation No. 590/2008, but it has also taken a hard line against
some forms of media, particularly those that have been critical of their policies. They have acted
swiftly in shutting down websites that have posted critical content and jailed journalists for
reporting on certain topics deemed sensitive by the government. However, despite this heavy-
handed approach, they have mostly respected Proclamation No. 590/2008 and allowed freedom
of the mass media within its framework – which is more than can be said for some other African
governments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Proclamation No. 590/2008, while a positive step forward in protecting press
freedom, still has some limitations that limit its impact on freedom of the press and access to
information. The Ethiopian government has made strides in recent years to ensure freedom of
expression, but the current situation has left much to be desired. Additionally, the impact of
Proclamation No. 590/2008 has been dampened by continued government interference and
censorship, as well as by the lack of support for independent media outlets by the Prosperity
Party. Ultimately, Proclamation No. 590/2008 is a step in the right direction for Ethiopia and its
citizens, but more needs to be done to protect and promote freedom of expression in the country.
 Reference

1.Woldegiorgis, G. (2008). Freedom of the Mass Media and Access to Information

Proclamation No. 590/2008. Addis Ababa, December 4.