{"id":187425,"date":"2021-06-01T19:42:09","date_gmt":"2021-06-01T19:42:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cpj.org\/?p=106289"},"modified":"2021-06-01T19:42:09","modified_gmt":"2021-06-01T19:42:09","slug":"ethiopia-elections-2021-journalist-safety-kit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2021\/06\/01\/ethiopia-elections-2021-journalist-safety-kit\/","title":{"rendered":"Ethiopia elections 2021: Journalist safety kit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ethiopia is scheduled to hold general elections<\/a> later this year amid heightened tensions across the country. Military conflict broke out in the Tigray region<\/a> in November 2020, and is ongoing<\/a>; over the past year, several other regions<\/a> have witnessed significant levels of violence and fatalities as a result of protests and inter-ethnic clashes, according to media reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least seven journalists were behind bars in Ethiopia as of December 1, 2020, according to CPJ research<\/a>, and authorities are clamping down on critical media outlets, as documented by CPJ<\/a> and media <\/a>reports<\/a>. The statutory regulator, the Ethiopia Media Authority, withdrew the credentials of New York Times<\/em> correspondent Simon Marks in March and later expelled him from the country<\/a>, alleging unbalanced coverage. The regulator has sent warnings to media outlets and agencies, including The Associated Press, for their reporting on the Tigray conflict, according to media<\/a> reports<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Journalists and media workers covering the elections anywhere in Ethiopia should be aware of a number of risks, including–but not limited to–communication blackouts<\/a>; getting caught up in violent protests, inter-ethnic clashes, and\/or military operations; physical harassment and intimidation; online trolling and bullying; and government restrictions on movement, including curfews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CPJ Emergencies has compiled this safety kit for journalists covering the elections. The kit contains information for editors, reporters, and photojournalists on how to prepare for the general election cycle, and how to mitigate physical and digital risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PDFs of the election safety kit are available to download in English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf Contacts & resources
\u25cf Physical safety: General safety advice
\u25cf Physical safety: Reporting from political rallies & crowd events
\u25cf Physical safety: Working in areas of civil unrest & remote locations
\u25cf Physical safety: Reporting from election-related protests
\u25cf Physical safety: Reporting in a hostile community
\u25cf Physical safety: COVID-19 considerations
\u25cf Digital safety: General best practice
\u25cf Digital safety: Preparing your devices for political rallies
\u25cf Digital safety: Preparing for a communications blackout
\u25cf Digital safety: Protecting against phishing
\u25cf Digital safety: Online abuse & misinformation campaigns
\u25cf Summary: Editor\u2019s safety checklist<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contacts & resources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Journalists requiring assistance in Ethiopia can contact CPJ\u2019s Emergencies program via electionsafety@cpj.org<\/a> or CPJ\u2019s Africa program at cpjafrica@cpj.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CPJ\u2019s resource center has additional information and tools for pre-assignment preparation<\/a> and post-incident assistance<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physical safety: General safety advice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n