Ethiopian Authority Halts Licences of Deutsche Welleʾs Local Correspondents

October 24, 2025 – Ethiopia – 

The Ethiopian Media Authority issued a letter on 23 October 2025 informing the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle that it would temporarily suspend the accreditation of its Amharic-language local correspondents in Ethiopia. The authority alleged that the journalists had repeatedly violated Ethiopia’s broadcasting regulations—specifically referencing Proclamations 1238/2013 and 1185/2021—and failed to uphold professional ethics, coupled with warnings and discussions that the authority said had gone unheeded.

According to published reports, the warning regime began when the authority summoned the reporters for feedback, issued verbal and written notices, and finally initiated the suspension. The broadcaster has served the country’s audience in the Amharic language for decades, and the move marks a significant disruption to its local operations.

In response, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on the Ethiopian authorities to lift the suspension immediately, describing the action as “an outrageous act of censorship and intimidation.”  The case highlights concerns about press freedom in Ethiopia, where independent journalists frequently face restrictions, harassment, or legal action when covering sensitive topics.

The suspension remains in effect with no specified timeline for reinstating the licenses, and the exact content of the alleged violations has not been publicly detailed. The incident raises broader questions about media space in Ethiopia and the ability of foreign-language services to operate independently under the current regulatory framework.

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Ethiopian authorities suspend licenses of Deutsche Welle’s local correspondents