Policy Measures
The Democratic System Building policy (2002) constitutes the key framework that seeks to promote
citizens‟ Right of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression.
Legislative Measures
The Legislative measures taken to protect citizens‟ right of Access to information and Freedom of
expression are found in: Proclamation to Provide for the Definition of Powers and Duties of the
Executive Organs of FDRE (Proclamation No. 691/2010), Broadcasting Service Proclamation
(Proclamation No.533/2007), Freedom of the Mass Media and Access to Information Proclamation
(Proclamation No 590/2008), A Proclamation to Consolidate the House of the Federation of the
Federal Democratic of Ethiopia and to Define its Powers and Responsibilities (Proclamation No.
251/2001), Criminal Law (Proclamation No. 414/2004), Civil Code (Proclamation No. 1/1961),
Advertisement Proclamation (Proclamation No. 759/2012), the Commercial Radio Broadcasting
Services, the Community Radio Broadcasting Service, the Broadcasting Service Grievance Handling
and Subscription Broadcasting Service Directives.
According to this proclamation, the Agency shall refuse to register a Charity or Society where; the
rules of the proposed Charity or Society do not comply with the necessary conditions set by this
Proclamation, the proposed Charity or Society is likely to be used for unlawful purposes or for
purposes prejudicial to public peace, welfare or good order in Ethiopia, the application for
registration does not comply with the provisions of this law or any regulations made hereunder, the
name under which the proposed Charity or Society to be registered resembles the name of another
Charity or Society or any other institution or is contrary to public morality or is illegal, where the
nomenclature of the Charity or Society is country wide and the composition of its members or place
of business do not show the representation of at least five regional states, and the license of any
Charity or Society shall be canceled where; its registration has been procured by fraud or
misrepresentation, it has been used for unlawful purposes or for purposes prejudicial to public
peace, welfare or security, it fails to rectify the causes for suspension within the time limit set by the
Agency, it fails to renew its license, or it commits a crime by violating the provisions of the criminal
code or that of this Proclamation.
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