Video News
News
Meles Zenawi’s VOA blacklist unveiled
Secret document reveals regime’s intolerance to critical views
By Abebe Gellaw
In Ethiopia freedom of expression was declared 20 years ago, when the military junta of Mengistu Hailemariam
crumbled and Prime Minister Meles Zenewi came to power preaching about liberty and democracy. After two decades in power, Meles Zenawi does not even tolerate the opinion of others including those he has forced into exile. He wants to be the only person in the country to speak his mind.
Only within the last 5 years, so many newspapers have been closed down, a number of journalists and critics have been jailed and many faced treason and terrorism charges for telling the inconvenient truth that tyranny must come to an end. The Voice of America (VOA), as an independent broadcaster, has also been a target of the tyrannical regime that jams VOA and other broadcasts to Ethiopia using Chinese technology.
Meles Zenawi’s VOA blacklist provides fresh evidence that clearly shows his intolerance every little voice of dissent. Article 29 (2) of the Ethiopian constitution declares: “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression without any interference. This right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any media of his choice.” But in practice, freedom of expression has been criminalized and outspoken critics are being hunted down and forced into exile by the regime.
The following is only a partial list of critics and dissidents whose views are labeled “hostile” and “unacceptable”. Meles wants VOA to ban his critics from appearing on its programs. It is an open secret that anyone who expresses views contrary to those of dictator Meles Zenawi and his cronies is considered to be an enemy of the state. It should be noted that the majority of people targeted by the Meles regime in the last 20 years are outspoken critics, commentators, political leaders, human rights activists and journalists.
The names below are only those mentioned in a 42-page document submitted by the Meles regime to VOA and Board of Broadcasting Governors (BBG) officials as evidence to support its complaints against VOA Amharic service.
- Dr. Getachew Metaferia, Professor of Political Science at Maryland University
- Mr. Jawar Mohammed, Political commentator
- Mr. Abebe Hailu, Representative of the Ethiopian American Council
- Professor Beyene Petros, Member of Medrek’s leadership
- Mr. Hamdi Ali Regae, Commentator
- Professor Paolos Milkeas, Professor of Middle Eastern and African Politics, Concordia University Canada
- Mr. Ali Abdo, Eritrean Minister of Information
- Dr. Beyana Soba, OLF spokesperson
- Mr. Eskinder Nega, Journalist and publisher, who has been banned from practicing journalism
- Colonel Tsegeye Yimer, Former army and police trainer
- Lieutenant Ayalsew Dessie, exiled former army officer
- Dr. Negasso Gidada, former president and interim leader of Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ)
- Dr. Hailu Araya, Spokesperson of UDJ
- Dr. Kassa Ayalew, Representative of March for Freedom
- Dr. Ahmed Mowen, Professor at Howard University, Washington DC
- Mr. Neamin Zeleke, Political activist
- Professor Getachew Haile, Coordinator of Hidafe Kitet
- Mr. Seye Abraha, UDJ Party
- Mr. Thilo Hoppe, Member of German Parliament (Bundestag)
- Mr. Bekele Gerba, Vice Chair, Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM)
- Dr. Merera Gudina, Member of Medrek’s leadership
- Dr. Berhanu Nega, Chair of Ginbot 7
- Mr. Girma Moges, Political commentator
- Mr. Aklilu Tadesse, exiled journalist
- Mr. Alebachew Desalegn, London-based activist
- Ms. Asayesh Tamiru, Member of Human Rights Committee in Germany
- Mr. Tamagn Beyene, activist and artiste
- Mr. Dawit Kebede, Managing editor of Awaramba Times
- Isaias Mekuria, journalist
- Dr. Getachew Begashaw, Professor of Economics at Harper College, USA
- Mr. Solomon Gebreselassie, Water development engineer in Los Angeles, California
Download document: Meles Zenawi VOA blacklist (PDF)
—-
Addis Voice is making efforts to secure other documents that contain Meles Zenawi’s litany of complaints and grievances against VOA broadcasters and anyone who expresses critical views.
Thank you Abebe for all these investigative work, the truth will prevail soon and Ethiopia will be for Ethiopians soon.
Abebe- nice ethiopian man, you did great job.This is the daily activies/ job of ministy of communication. My God , this is the indication of failed state.Therefore, we have to fight these Eritera bloody group.Don´t give up!!!
God save Ethiopia and Ethiopians!!!!
TPLF(MELES & CO.) ARE SILENCED 80 MILLION ETHIOPIANS OF EXPRESSING THEIR GOD GIVEN RIGHTS TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS -THOSE ARE JUST THE FEW LOUDER ONES
I know you will not post this comment as you have not done to my previous comments that challenged your biased views. But I thought I should let you know why I laughed when I saw the much talked about evidence. Wait wait wait…
I thought you said that you will release the document that contains the names? The documents you released has nothing to do with this topic and not even a single factual error can be found in it. The Amharic to English translated document only talks about how biased the VOA was, so where did you get the names? Where is the evidence that the government asked for the names listed to be banned? Are we now meant to believe what you say just because you are talking about what without evidence?
Dear Abebe,
I appreciate the investigation and the important updates in this regard.
I would like to emphasize that VOA is the property of the American government. It is not a private-owned (free) media. It is one of the major instruments USA uses to impart its power and influences in foreign countries – the same as its intellegence (CIA) and its mighty military power. Therefore, we have to understand that VOA can be deployed in any way the US government sees fit. For example, the US government gives various military, intellegence and resource assistance to countries that are considered to be allies in the fight against terrorism. The special kill squad of Zenawi (the Agazi Birgade) that massacred 200 people in the aftermath of the 2005 election was trained by USA military personnel under such a scheme. Hence, we need not be so surprised if VOA has been complicit in strengthening the power of Meles in Ethiopia or if it facilitates the regime’s effort to keep the Ethiopian people in information blackout. When considered from USA’s interest and strategy, it is a rational decision. After all that is why VOA was established. However, it is good to expose the issue to the public. Keep it up!
These guys are crazy. Meles and Co. think that they can even dictate America. This is called megolomanic tyranny.
Dear Abebe,
Thank you Abebe! You did really nice job. We, others Ethiopians, what are we doing? This is the right time to do something expected from us individually or in organized way. Abebe you are Hero!
Hey, are we supposed to believe you just be cause you said so or do you have evidence?
I like you but what is your source or where did you get this information from? Just coming up with names isn’t jornalistic, is it?
Thank you Abebe, for being the first person to post the document.
However, I just want to tell you that how I am disappointed with the manner of your reporting. Where is the so called blacklist? What I see in the document is an excerpt taken from the programs broadcasted by VOA nothing more nothing less. Moreover, the names mentioned in the document are used just for quotation purpose. When shall we stop cooking the news in a way that fits to our views? This is not really expected from a person in your caliber!
There are so many things to challenge the Woyane regime such as corruption, luck of good governance, poverty, etc. Why don’t you apply your investigative journalism skills on these areas which will have a direct impact on the lives of poor Ethiopians?
Good job Abebe Gelaw keep it up .My advice for the upcoming demonstration is please pass message to coordinators to prepare Placards with messages showing the all-round human rights violations perpetrated by woyane. Resonate powerful slogans , and condemn some of state department (VOA) officials dealings with woyane officials behind the scene.
My God!!!!!!
Board of Broadcasting Governors of VOA should be ashamed of its action. All of those so called BBG should resign if any professional element is left in them. Shame! Shame! Shame! I am going to stop listening to VOA Amharic Service, although I have been tuning it for years and years – the English Version during the reign of the Emperor and the Amharic Service after the reign of the Dergue.
Abebe! You are a hero! Keep on digging brother.
Ethiopians! You we have no option, but to unite. See where the “champions of democracy” stand now!?!!!!
And where is the evidence for the so called “Meles Zenawi’s VOA blacklist”? All i saw is, what Voa prodcasted in the past which is unacceptable to the Ethiopian government? Did you hire Mr. Tamirat Geleta to tell you which isn’t written as opposed to written?
The Ethiopian Wiki leaks!!! Appreciated the effort. Good Job!
abet wushet….abet wushet…..do not fabricated pls
DC Guys WOYANE LEBA NEW bilachu atmelesu that doesnot say much about woyane the evil.Come out with Organized MEFEKIR> One tip from me VOA OFFICIALS STOP DEALING WITH WOYANE BEHIND THE SCENE!! GO GO Go DC wend yiwotachu lool
Dear Ato Abebe, you are a real journalist. keep up the good job!!
I think it is time for you to reach out as well as the non Ethiopian political activists via the well known news outlets in USA. Let the world know what is happening within VOA, and how the Meles government is tirelessly blocking all media source that has been providing balanced and factual information to 80 million Ethiopians for years.
Hats off! Investigative journalism should look like this. Defending freedom of speech and reporting based on actual facts. Addisvoice is becoming a model of professional journalism like the VOA once was.
Keep up the good job!
Yonas and others who questioned the source, please download and read the source document.
You will find it at the end of Abebe’s report or check out this link.
http://addisvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Meles-Zenawi-VOA-blacklist.pdf
Meles and Bereket,two eritreans ruling Ethiopia are determ
ined to silence Ethiopians. As an Ethiopian I am ashamed for Tigreans supporters of these criminals to be manipulated by the ethnocentric thugs of Adwa. We have to defeat this regime before we see our country becomes history.
Where is the evidence? the document you published doesn’t contain any blacklist as you claimed unless you have more to come, this is nothing.
I still can’t belive VOA bosses refused to publish all the names from blacklist.What does that tell us?It shows how TPLF is working hard with VOA big bosses behind closed doors.I am 100% sure few people in power at VOA are taking money from Ethiopia regime.To all Tigreans Meles does not care about you or Tigrea.If you don’t belive me just go visit Tigrea for yourself then you tell me if I am wrong.
How come Mersha Yosef and Iyasu Alemayehu TPLF black list
…. ?
Dear Abebe, I realy appericiate your effort. That was what is expected from each of us. I Would like here to sudjest that the concerned person to defend their gesture and react together or individually. May be Meles and co. have included also the name of their favorite like Mersha Yosef and Iyasu Alemayehu masking. The Ethiopian shold be vegilant to filter the individuals.
Once again thanks for effort.
As usual, you did it again. Thank you very much.
Indeed the USA government, its state department, and its tentacles are doing what they are supposed to do. What are we doing? As Ethiopians, Ethiopian Americans, and those who are concerned by the brutal ethnic dictator in Ethiopia must organize and campaign throughout USA contacting all senators and representatives in congress and demand that our individual rights are usurped by Voice of America. We the tax payers are denied our rights to be heard, our individual and collective rights have been sacrificed to accommodate a brutal government that is supported by our own tax money to buy bullets and kill its people. If VOA is not transmitting the benefits of democracy and be an example then what is the meaning of having it in the first place? This should be and is the essence of our demonstrations and our campaign.
Thank you Abebe Gelaw again
Some of the comments above ask for the relevance of ‘blacklilst’ to describe the attached document. Of course it is, what else is the purpose. It is clear that the regime provided the above translation as an evidence of the bias in the broadcasts of the Amharic programme. It is trying to show the partiality of the transimissions and accuse the journalists as favoring the oppositions.
The most ridiculous thing is that the regime has even forgotten what partiality mean. They have kept the whole population in Ethiopia in darkness and control the whole media so that they have lost the tiny tolerance to hear anything different from their point of view. There is no anything unethical or wrong in the above broadcasts. In fact it shows the professional qualities of the journalists. I am a regular listener of VOA. Whenever a controversial issue is broadcast, they always invite different sides to reflect their views. The arrogant leaders of the regime have always declined to participate. But, at least they have managed to present some of the supporters of the regime in the Diaspora to make their report objective and balanced. I wouldn’t have expected anything more. Meles Zenawi knows it too. He is deliberately making noise, to intimidate the journalists and to give the US government a pretext to take unlawful action. He knows that he will gain something out of this.
This is a humiliation for all Ethiopians. The blame is ours. The regime is trying to follow Ethiopians all over the planet and show its muscle. It spent a lot of money and did many intrigues with it foreign accomplices to block the transmission of ESAT to Ethiopia. It tells how weak and pathetic we are. The regime is not challenged in the list within the country so that it felt so powerful and mighty. They are even trying to harass and suppress us abroad. The West also see us in contempt and lost every hope in the Ethiopian people. They have now accepted the dominance of Woyane and are overtly supporting the regime as the sole power in the country.
We love VOA. We defend them. Tizta, Addisu, Solomon, Solomon, Henok, Alula,Konjit, Asegedech et al…we will stand by you. Thank you for your quality service that you deliver with passion and intelligence.
Its funny how TPLF cadres keep crying of evidence for their masters crime ??? -EVIDENCE TO PROVE MELES ATROCITY AND CRIMES AGAINST ETHIOPIA AND ETHIOPIANS ???? WHERE DO U ZENAWI CADRES WANTED ME TO START ????
Many are surprised, how melees is able to infiltrate the VOA administration. I believe his concern about the VOA was mentioned during Madam Secretary of States visit to Ethiopia. The Board of Directors meeting was one of follow up detail meeting, designed to work out problem Areas between the two administrations. The Ethiopian administration as usual used this opportunity to expand its war against individuals, that are potent to its existence. That part is not surprising, because the nature and mode of operation of the Ethiopian government is a well documented fact in that direction. What surprises all in one is, the reaction of the American government, to defy it’s constitutional boundary, act hand in hand with a known dictator to silence dissent. Though seems unusual but it is also a repeat of mistakes with regrettable outcome, as has been demonstrated in the middle east crises. People on the street forced the Administration to change sides with out choices. Yes, the American Constitution is being tested. The government of the people doesn’t tolerate such a breach in the basics. It is our constitutional right to right, the wrong. As citizens, we have the obligation to expose the fact demand timely correction. We gave our oath to the constitution, when we fist joined the American community on the venue of naturalization and we should not fail our oath half way.
[...] here the full 42 pages secerete voa blacklist, PDF Source: http://addisvoice.com/ VoA black listVoA black list” Categories: TPLF woyane LikeBe the first to like this post. List of [...]
Selam Ato Abebe,
We have known you since day one being and standing in the front line in the mission to bring down the worst dictatorial regime that the world has ever known and to install the democratic system that Ethiopians are waiting for.
As an Agent of Changes to bring about democracy, you have advanced our struggles always closer to the end of the dictators and the days are numbered.
You have carried fellow Ethiopians and all other people of good will and supporters of democracy to the battle ground so to speak about the struggles and challenges in the foot step of the dictatorial regime of Meles Zenawi. Your political approaches have been effective and are making big dents on the body of one of the worst dictatorial regime in the World. The hopes of Ethiopians is based on the actions that you and fellow journalists are doing,
The investigative report is of historic dimension and one that would lead the dictators to their fall sooner or later. Thank you so much for your dedications.
Your admirer as always