Addis Ababa — Ethiopia's Parliament has endorsed a new Media Bill despite fierce opposition at home and abroad.

The new law bans censorship of private media and detention of journalists, but critics said that it retains other threats to free expression.

"Under the new law, previous restrictions against private media outlets, such as detention of journalists suspected of infringement of the law, has been scrapped," a parliament statement said.

But opposition members said the law still allowed state prosecutors to invoke national security as grounds for impounding materials prior to publication and distribution.

Simple majority

The ruling party led by Premier Meles Zenawi which holds more than 75 per cent of the seats voted on Thursday for the new Media and information freedom law by simple majority.

Mr Amare Aregawi, owner of Media and Communication Centre and Editor in Chief of The Reporter and Reporter newspapers, expressed his deep concern and sense of frustration over he new law. "Ethiopia deserves more than this law" said Mr Amare.

But, Mr Tamirat Wolde Giorgis, Publisher of weekly business paper, Fortune, said he appreciates and acknowledges government willingness to debate on the new law for more than five years. He praised the government for the changes comparing with the first initial draft law five years ago.

Mr Bulcha Demeksa, leader of the opposition Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement described the new law as "draconian". "I consider the day on which this law was enacted as a dark day in the annals of Ethiopian history," he said.

Journalists will under the new law have the right to set up an independent press council.