Economist Podcasts Press clipping: Ethiopia’s media crackdown
Jun 2, 2022
Tom Gardner, The Economist's Horn of Africa correspondent, shares gripping insights into the Ethiopian government's crackdown on media, detailing the dangerous climate for journalists amidst civil unrest. Erin Braun, covering California's cannabis crisis, discusses the struggles faced by legal growers under heavy taxation and stringent regulations despite a booming market. Together, they highlight the chilling effect of authoritarianism on press freedom in Ethiopia and the urgent need for reform in California's cannabis industry.
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Disinformation Campaigns
- The Ethiopian government's disinformation campaigns, like the 'State of Emergency Fact Check' account, aim to erode trust in independent reporting.
- By discrediting victim testimonies and journalists, the government controls the narrative around the conflict.
Information Vacuum
- The silencing of independent voices in Ethiopia creates a dangerous information vacuum, leaving the field open to biased outlets or state propaganda.
- Local journalists often self-censor due to risks, highlighting the disparity between their safety concerns and those of foreign correspondents.
California's Marijuana Market
- California, despite being the world's largest legal marijuana market, faces challenges.
- Local growers struggle due to high taxes and regulations, hindering their profitability.