Ethiopia’s internet is among the least free in the world. According to a
new index released by the nonprofit Freedom House, Ethiopia ranked
ahead of only Iran, Syria, and China, out of 65 countries in terms of
access to the internet, censorship, and freedom of information. It
ranked the worst of any country in Africa.
Anti-government protests have gripped the country over the last year,
gaining extra global attention when Ethiopian marathoner Feyisa Lilesa
held his hands up, crossed at the wrist– an anti-government gesture used
by protesters– at the Olympics. In response, Ethiopian authorities have
intermittently shut down mobile phone and internet connections. They
have also blocked social media like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter.
Last month, a six-month state of emergency was declared, making it
illegal to post or access information about the protests on social media
as well as communicate with “outside forces.” Social media is also used
to implicate dissidents and critics. Charges against protesters and
opposition leaders often rely on evidence taken from social media,
according to Freedom House.
Ethiopia’s heavy-handed approach to the internet goes further back than
this last year. The country has passed counter-terrorism laws over the
last five years that make it easier to pressure journalists and
bloggers. The blogger Zelalem Workagenehu was sentenced to five years in
prison this spring for running a course on digital security that
authorities said was a cover for terrorist activities. Authorities have
blocked news sites reporting on topics aside from the protests, like a
severe drought that has left 18 million people in need of food and water
supplies.
The situation is likely to continue. Government-owned EthioTelecom has a
monopoly on internet access. Only 12% of the population has internet
access and few people can afford it, given mobile access costs $85 a
month compared to $30 a month in neighboring countries like Uganda or
Kenya. Telecommunication infrastructure in rural areas, where most of
Ethiopia’s population lives, is almost entirely absent.
Nor has the government opened the sector to competition. Chinese telecom
firms ZTE and Huawei have been contracted to upgrade broadband and
other networks in the country. But critics worry that Chinese investment
is only helping EthioTelecom maintain its hold on the sector and
continue censoring and surveilling citizens.
One bright spot is the growing network of bloggers and journalists in
the Ethiopian diaspora who have been using their contacts within the
country provide coverage of the country.
Quartz
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