Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – With Ethiopia’s 2026 elections on the horizon, fear is mounting among the country’s journalists amid a sweeping government crackdown. Dozens of media workers have been arrested in recent months, many facing terrorism charges that critics claim are aimed at silencing dissenting voices.
The government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has introduced a controversial set of rules aimed at “monitoring and controlling misinformation,” but press freedom advocates argue these laws are being used to target independent reporting. The newly enacted rule lacks clear definitions, giving broad discretion to authorities to detain and prosecute journalists.
Watch Our Video Report Below: “Inside the Crackdown: Ethiopia’s Journalists Under Threat” – Ambassador Media Video News Runtime: 2:00 minutes
Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which ranks Ethiopia 145th out of 180 countries on its 2024 World Press Freedom Index, warned that the government appears to be attempting to “retake control of the information space” following a brief period of relative openness.
Sadibou Marong, RSF’s regional director, stated that the latest wave of repression is further destabilizing an already fragile media environment. “Many journalists are now resorting to self-censorship or are seriously considering leaving the country,” Marong noted.
Local journalists echo the sentiment. “I expect more arrests,” said Yosef, a journalist working with an international outlet. “Many of us are thinking of quitting journalism or leaving Ethiopia altogether. It’s becoming impossible to do our job safely.”
Human rights organizations and opposition leaders have expressed grave concern. They warn that the current trajectory could undermine the credibility of the upcoming election and further weaken democratic processes in Ethiopia.
As the situation continues to evolve, Ambassador Media will provide ongoing coverage and updates on this critical issue.
