Recommendations:

We, the delegates participating at the Ethiopian Media in Development conference, being members of the Ethiopian state and non-state media, and the international media community;

Reaffirm our commitment to everyone's right to freedom of expression and access to information as guaranteed in the Constitution of 1994 and international covenants to which Ethiopia is a signatory.

Commit ourselves to improving relations between the state and the non-state media and to co-operate in areas of common concern. The working relationship between the state and non-state media should be enhanced to facilitate the development of the profession of journalism in Ethiopia.

Appeal to the Government and public officials to accept the role of the press as a public watchdog and accept that the press, be it privately or government owned, has the right to access to information as stipulated in the Constitution. The government should promote a better understanding of the role of the independent press and uphold and promote press freedom as one of the most important ingredients of the democratisation process. Furthermore, we appeal to the Government to discuss all revisions to the press law, in the spirit of mutual respect, with media representatives and practising media lawyers and take their opinions into account. All laws relating to the media should be considered in light of the Constitution. Taxation levels should encourage the free flow of information. Due process of law in relation to the prosecution of journalists must be respected.

Appeal to politicians and public figures to accept more criticism and scrutiny than private individuals. Public figures must accept a greater degree of tolerance in this regard.

Appeal to the judiciary to accept restrictions and limitations to freedom of expression only if there is a pressing social need; to keep in mind that bail amounts and punishments handed out must be proportionate to the offence committed and ensure that they do not present a chilling effect on society by discouraging members of the media from freely expressing their opinion; to bear in mind that detention for the peaceful expression of an opinion is a grave violation of human rights. We further believe that setting exorbitant levels of bail is tantamount to the denial of the right to bail.

Appeal to the members of the Ethiopian media to enhance their professional standards and ensure their reporting is accurate and impartial; to establish codes of conduct, and monitor and supervise the implementation of these codes by institutions of self-regulation.

Appeal to the international community to financially support the development of Ethiopia's state and non-state media. Journalistic training and material assistance is needed at all levels.

For further information, contact IPI at Spiegelgasse 2, A-1010 Vienna, Austria, tel: +43 1 512 90 11, fax: +43 1 512 90 14, e-mail: Michael Kudlak at ipi.vienna@xpoint.at, or Peter Goff at info@freemedia.at, Internet site: www.freemedia.at.

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