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February 07, 2025 – Ethiopia –
Ethiopia’s independent media sector is under severe strain as journalists contend with arrests, surveillance, exile, and increasing violence amid the country’s ongoing political and ethnic conflicts. Since 2019, at least 92 journalists have been detained, with many targeted during periods of civil unrest, especially in the Amhara and Tigray regions. The government has used states of emergency and vague legal justifications—often linking journalists to rebel groups or accusing them of spreading misinformation—to suppress dissenting voices.
In 2024 alone, 43 journalists were arrested, imprisoned, or kidnapped. Some were held in military camps without due process, while others were charged under Ethiopia’s anti-terrorism and hate speech laws. These laws have become tools for silencing critical media, creating a climate of fear and uncertainty. Six journalists currently face terrorism-related charges, which could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
The repression has driven at least 54 journalists into exile since 2020. Those who flee often seek refuge in neighboring African countries or in the West, where they face new challenges, including language barriers, lack of legal status, and economic insecurity. Meanwhile, many of those who remain in Ethiopia practice self-censorship to avoid persecution. Regional and ethnic tensions also complicate reporting, as journalists are frequently pressured to support their ethnic group or political faction.
Independent media outlets have been shuttered or pushed to the margins, and the threat of violence looms large. Several journalists have reported beatings, harassment, or torture while in custody. Others have had to leave their homes and go into hiding to avoid arrest. The country’s press freedom ranking has sharply declined, reflecting the worsening media environment.
International watchdogs and human rights groups have condemned Ethiopia’s treatment of the press and are urging reforms to protect journalistic freedom. Without meaningful change, the future of independent journalism in Ethiopia remains bleak, and citizens are left with fewer reliable sources of information in an already volatile political landscape.
Reference –
Fleeing prolonged media crackdown, Ethiopian journalists struggle in exile
https://ijnet.org/en/story/conflict-rages-journalists-ethiopia-contend-crackdowns-independent-media
