Freedom of the Mass Media and Access to Information Proclamation No ...

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http://www.ethiopian-law.com/federal-laws/substantive-law-legislations...

“Ombudsman” means the Institution of the Ombudsman established under Proclamation No. 211/2000.
“Region” mean a regional state established under Article 47 of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic

Republic of Ethiopia, and shall, for the purpose of this Proclamation, include Addis Abeba and Diredawa
18)

“Public Relation Officer” mean a public relation officer or any other officer designated by the public body for the

purpose of caring out the tasks of a public relation officer under this Proclamation.
3. Gender Reference
Unless otherwise expressly provided under this Proclamation provisions referred in the masculine gender shall also apply
to the feminine gender.
4. Freedom of Mass Media
1)

Freedom of the mass media is constitutionally guaranteed. Censorship in any form is prohibited.

2)

Restrictions on the freedom of the mass media shall only be made by laws issued in accordance with the

Constitution.
3)

All public bodies shall have regard to the right of the mass media, in fulfilling its public function, to:

a)

seek, receive and impart news or information;

b)

express opinion or criticism on various issues or;

c)

participate in the process of forming public opinion through other means.

4)
Unless otherwise stipulated by express provisions of laws enacted in accordance with sub article (2) of this Article,
administrative measures that impair freedom of the mass media are forbidden.
5. Right to Publish and Organize
1)

Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 7 of this Proclamation, every Ethiopian national has the right to

establish a mass media.
2)

Journalists have a right to organize themselves into professional associations of their choice.

PART TWO
Right to Engage in Mass Media Activities
6. Editor-in-chief
1)
The mandate of the editor in chief designated by the publisher encompasses the power to supervise the
publication of the periodical and to determine the contents thereof in such a way that nothing may be printed therein
against his will. Any practice or agreement that restricts this power shall be null and void.
2)
Where the editor-in-chief of a mass media does not, for any reason, have full legal capacity, another editorin-chief who has full legal capacity shall be appointed.
3)

The editor-in-chief who has been appointed in accordance with sub article (2) of this Article, shall have legal

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