Policemen attempt to control protesters chanting slogans during a demonstration over what they say is unfair distribution of wealth at Meskel Square in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, August 6, 2016.
ADDIS ABABA - The independent monthly Addis Standard magazine said on Tuesday it would stop its print edition because of the "impossible" conditions created by Ethiopia's state of emergency, declared earlier this month following widespread protests.
"The printers keep turning us down," said Tsedale Lemma, co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Addis Standard.
"Their lawyers have advised them not to publish anything political because the state of emergency extends punishment not only to writers but also to publishers and distributors" of anything seen as likely to spur a resumption of months of sometimes deadly anti-government protests.
Announcing the indefinite termination of AS PRINT edition. We are deeply saddened, but we remain determined for more on the DIGITAL version pic.twitter.com/TtPWVZLMiJ
— Addis Standard (@addisstandard) October 25, 2016
Wary supermarkets, hotels and street vendors have also refused to sell the magazine, she added, until the state of emergency imposed on October 9 is lifted.
"We have tried to convince them that the state of emergency only targets 'inciteful material' but they fear this can be interpreted and abused," Lemma said.
Addis Standard lives its name. Its writers and editor set the standard for courageous journalism. Sad and disturbed to see this. https://t.co/iOtcGXoGuG
— Christy CeeCK (@ChristyCeeCK) October 25, 2016
Freedom of press continues to remain a dream in Ethiopia. Very saddening to see termination of Addis Standard. https://t.co/9NbNVNIhko
— Akewak Yadeta (@akewakYadeta) October 25, 2016
The English-language Addis Standard, in print continuously since February 2011, is one of the few independent voices in an Ethiopian media landscape almost entirely controlled by the authorities.
The cover of the last edition of the magazine featured the #IreechaMassacre hashtag used by anti-government activists on social networks who blame security forces for the deaths of at least 55 people in a stampede on 2 October, an attack that helped trigger the state of emergency declaration a week later.
READ: Use of social media a crime during state of emergency in Ethiopia
While the print edition is indefinitely suspended, the online version will continue and Lemma said she was planning a digital expansion to include podcasts. Nevertheless, it is expected that around half of the 23 full-time staff will lose their jobs.
Even before the state of emergency the Committee to Protect Journalists rated Ethiopia as one of the most repressive countries in the world, with 10 journalists imprisoned last year alone.
