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Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed has reiterated his government’s commitment to fostering freedom of the media and the press.

The Premier made the remark during his address at the official ceremony of the UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize dinner held last night in Addis Ababa at the Sheraton Addis.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) yesterday awarded its peace prize to PM Dr Abiy for his commendable work in pursuit of peace.

In his remark, the PM also touched on a fundamental shift made in policy since April 2018 to establish a truly democratic political order and transform the media landscape.

Over two hundreds news websites and blogs that had been blocked were opened up, media entities that had been charged under the infamous anti-terrorism-law were also given amnesty and allowed to return to Ethiopia, he said.

Newspapers and magazines that had been banned from operating are back in business, he said.

Twenty-three new media organizations have registered and received media license; several new newspapers and dozens of weekly magazines have also registered as well as TV channels that have since launched and in operation.

The Prime Minister called on media establishments and citizen journalists to seize the current enabling environment and use their voice and pen with ethical considerations.

“We need to ensure that the opening up of the media space does not facilitate misinformation, the spread of hate speech and fake news,” he said.

The 2019 World Press Freedom Day celebration is currently taking place at African Union (AU) headquarters in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

The event which is being held under the theme “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in times of Disinformation,” brought together more than 2,000 participants from over 95 countries.

In her opening remark, President Sahle-Work Zewde, said “we are happy to host the conference,” and thanked the organizers for selecting Ethiopia for this global event.

Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed received UK’s Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt at his office today.

The two discussed strengthening relationship between the two countries, including support to reforms.

Prime Minister Dr Abiy expressed Ethiopia’s gratitude to Great Britain for the long term support.

Hunt shared the interest of Britain to continue strengthening the relationship between the two countries, and particularly in supporting the current reforms.

Jeremy Hunt also invited Prime Minister Dr Abiy to be a keynote speaker at the defend media freedom conference in London later in the year.

Earlier this afternoon, UK Foreign Secretary also met with Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedu Andargachew to discuss ways to deepen ties between the two countries.

Gedu appreciated the growing excellent ties and historical relations between the UK and Ethiopia, thanking UK government’s commitment to support Ethiopia during a time of transformational process in the political and economic frontiers.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt commended Ethiopia’s significant contributions in the maintenance of peace and security in the region, while also expressing his country’s commitment to work more closely with Ethiopia in such score.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedu Andargachew, today received Mr. Jeremy Hunt, UK Foreign Secretary, in which both sides pledged to deepen ties based on a long tradition of cooperation.

Gedu appreciated the growing excellent ties and historical relations between the UK and Ethiopia, thanking UK government’s commitment to support Ethiopia during a time of transformational process in the political and economic frontiers.

“Ethiopia is undertaking significant reforms in areas of democratization, institutional capacity building, rule law and media freedom,” he added.

In connection, Foreign Minister Gedu thanked the UK for the support extended to Ethiopia in areas of institutional capacity building. In this regard the Minister particularly noted UK’s support to the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia.

The Minister also took note of Ethiopia’s steadfast roles to pacify the Horn of Africa region towards normalcy, peace and stability, which he says, is the essence for collective peace, security and prosperity of the region.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, on his part, commended the reforms undertaken by the leadership in Ethiopia and reiterated UK’s continued support to Ethiopia’s reform agenda.

He also commended Ethiopia’s significant contributions in the maintenance of peace and security in the region, while also expressing his country’s commitment to work more closely with Ethiopia in such score.

Both sides underlined the importance of further enhancing ties in trade, business and investment, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The 8th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa will be held 4 and 5 May in Bahir Dar, Amhara regional state.

The theme for this year’s annual gathering is “Political Dynamics in the Horn of Africa: Nurturing the Emerging Peace Trends.”

The Forum is an annual meeting that brings together African leaders and stakeholders to engage and explore African-led security solutions.

The Forum complements formal meetings of African heads of state and government by assembling them in an informal, collaborative environment.

It offers room and space for panel discussions, interaction with the floor and bilateral talks to share views and experiences in a time efficient, result-oriented and open manner.

The Tana Forum promotes African-led solutions by holding discussions on the strategic and pro-active management of African peace and security issues driven by the interest to contribute to stronger ownership of these issues.

Former Ethiopian President Dr Negaso Gidada has passed away at the age of 76.

Dr Negasso had died while being treated in Germany. He was President from 1995 until 2001.

Dr Negasso also served as Minister of Information in the Transitional Government of Ethiopia.

Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed extended his condolences to the people of Ethiopia and his family over the passing of the former president, according to office of the Prime Minister.

A national committee to oversee the funeral arrangements is being established and will communicate the details accordingly, the office added.

Similarly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the House of People’s Representatives (HPR), the House of Federation (HoF), the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and regional states also expressed their deepest condolences.