• Human Rights Watch reported multiple cases of harassment, arbitrary detention and abductions of Ethiopian journalists since August 2025.

• Parliament granted expanded powers to the state media authority in April, deepening restrictions ahead of the 2026 elections.

• Ethiopia dropped in Reporters Without Borders’ ranking to 145th place, placing it among countries with a “very serious” press freedom situation.

When Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in 2018, he pledged a new era of openness. Exiled journalists returned, political prisoners walked free, and in 2019 Ethiopia hosted World Press Freedom Day.

Seven years later, that promise has eroded. Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned on September 22 that authorities have escalated efforts to silence independent media through arrests and intimidation. “The renewed efforts by Ethiopian authorities to muzzle independent press primarily aim to prevent the public from holding government accountable,” said Laetitia Bader, HRW’s deputy Africa director.

Recent cases illustrate the crackdown. On September 3, police detained three employees of private broadcaster Sheger FM after it aired a report on a health workers’ strike deemed biased. A court ordered their release on bail, but police appealed to prolong their detention.

On August 13, masked men—some in military uniform—abducted Yonas Amare, editor-in-chief of The Reporter, from his home. His whereabouts remained unknown for eight days while authorities refused to confirm or deny his detention. Two days earlier, radio host Abdulsemed Mohammed disappeared briefly before being released. In June, authorities arrested investigative journalist Tesfalem Woldeyes, accusing him of “spreading false information.”

Legal and Political Backdrop

These incidents come amid a tightening legal framework shaped by the aftermath of the Tigray war and preparations for the 2026 elections. In April, parliament amended the 2021 media law to expand the authority of the Ethiopian Media Authority, whose director general is directly appointed by Abiy. The changes increased government control over licensing and sanctions.

Observers say the laws now serve as political tools. “Authorities often invoke anti-terrorism and hate speech laws, as well as emergency provisions, to suppress critical reporting,” said Muthoki Mumo of the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Local media leaders describe a climate of systematic repression. Tsedale Lemma, founder of independent outlet Addis Standard, said security services routinely violate journalists’ legal protections. “We are far from protecting the media from this coordinated attack by the government,” she said, citing “mass arrests, disappearances, mass defamation of journalists, or delegitimization of their work.”

Ethiopia’s global press freedom ranking has declined. Reporters Without Borders downgraded the country from 141st to 145th, placing it in the category of nations with a “very serious” situation.

With general elections scheduled for 2026, calls for a free and impartial press are growing louder. Yet under the current crackdown, many journalists face fear and self-censorship, limiting the public’s ability to access independent information.

This article was initially published in French by Servan Ahougnon

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum