Ethiopia Policies Affecting Disinformation

From ADTAC Disinformation Inventory

Legislation

In February 2020, lawmakers approved the Hate Speech and Disinformation Prevention and Suppression Proclamation No.1185/2020. Under the law hate speech or disinformation that is disseminated on social media platforms with over 5,000 followers is punishable with a fine of up to 100,000 birr ($3,000) and up to three years in prison.[1]

The law targets the dissemination of disinformation, which is defined as “speech that is false, that is spread by a person who knowingly or should reasonably have known the falsity of the information and is highly likely to cause a public disturbance, riot, violence or conflict”.[2] There has been concern that the bill will be used to inhibit freedom of speech, as terms are vague.[3]

See More

National Policies Affecting Disinformation

  1. https://apnews.com/article/1a159efee95f5eaaf9cbcfb6e177c07e
  2. https://www.disinformationtracker.org/
  3. The problems with Ethiopia's proposed hate speech and misinformation law | Media@LSE