On April 14, 2023, members of the defence forces arrested journalist Dawit Begashaw, the founder and producer of “4 Kilo Media,” in Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara Region.
Members of the Ethiopian Mass Media Professionals Association, of which the journalist is a member of the management board, have also reacted to his detention.
According to sources, the journalist was apprehended by members of the defense force on Wednesday, April 4, 2023, while having a cup of tea with friends at the Homeland Hotel in Bahir Dar city.
According to eyewitnesses, members of the Defence Force commandos who took the journalist to an undisclosed area appeared in two “patrols” and told him that “they want him” before Dawit moved to vehicles parked a few distances away.
After the member of the Defence Forces “took away” Dawit from his friends, witnesses said, he got into one of the vehicles parked outside the hotel.
However, he asserted that he was unable to figure out how many DFC soldiers were in the vehicles because they were “traumatized” by the time.
Sources confirmed that Dawit’s cell phone did not receive calls in the two hours after it was reported that he was arrested by members of the Defence Force Commandos.
Dawit, who is one of the founders and producers of YouTube Media, called “4 Kilo Media” at the end of last November, has been presenting current affairs, political analysis, and interviews.
Dawit, a graduate of Bahir Dar University’s Department of Journalism and Communication, worked for different foreign and local media before co-founding “4 Kilo Media ” with journalist Alazar Terfe.
For almost six years, he worked as a journalist for the Ethiopian Press Agency, Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, Fana Radio, EBS Television, and the Ethio FM radio station.
When the foreign media called “Al Ain News,” which has its headquarters in the United Arab Emirates, launched an Amharic division in Addis Ababa, Dawit Begashaw was one of the journalists who joined from Ethiopia and worked for almost two and a half years.
Dawit is one of the founders of the Ethiopian Mass Media Professionals Association; he is currently serving as a member of the management board of the association.
Journalist Tibebu Belete, President of Ethiopian Mass Media Professionals Association, quest Dawit Begashaw to be released.
“I heard journalist Dawit was detained. If he is detained, the journalism profession will be shocked,” EMMPA president, stated
“Dawit is the founder of the Ethiopian Mass Media Professionals Association and a member of its management committee. He is currently serving as the association’s Public Relations officer,” Tibebu added.
“He is one of the best journalists. Professionally, I am well familiar with him. He is devoted to his profession. Dawit is one of the young journalists in whom I have confidence,” the EMPA President went on to witness Dawit’s Professional expertise and ethics.
According to him, his detainee signifies “Journalism, the profession itself, it is shocking.”
Journalist Tibebu Belete, president of the EMPA, requested the appropriate government bodies to release Dawit Begasha and allow him to return to his job as soon as possible.
It was learnt that, the Federal Government’s recent decision to disarm regional special forces and reintegrate them into the National Defence Force, Federal, and Regional Police, has met with strong opposition from the Amhara Special Force.
As a result, the Amhara Special Force, Fano, Militia, and an overwhelming public movement and march are demonstrating against the decision, in most Amhara Regional State cities.
Along with, scholars, activists, and journalists are being detained for attempting to support the ASF’s denial of the initiative. Recently, journalists Genet Asmamaw, Meskerem Abera, Aragaw Sisay, Getinet Ashager and others were detained.
Addis Reporter’s Managing Editor, Dessalegn Masrie, is a seasoned journalist with a decade of experience in broadcast, print, and digital media in Ethiopia. With a BA in Political Science and International Relations and MA in International Relations and Diplomacy, he is interested in diplomacy, international relations, political economy, and hydropolitics. He is currently on
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