Ambassador Media– April 2025
In a worrying escalation of government pressure on independent journalism, at least seven journalists were arrested in Ethiopia during April, coinciding with a controversial amendment to the country’s media law that grants expanded control to the government over media regulation.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has strongly condemned the arrests and the legal changes, stating they mark a concerning setback for press freedom in Ethiopia. Among those detained is journalist Ahmed Awga, who was arrested shortly after interviewing a father who alleged that his 16-year-old son had died following a beating by police.
Other journalists targeted include Muhyidin Abdullahi Omar, who now faces charges of “defamation” and “disseminating disinformation,” and Fanuel Kinfu, who was questioned regarding his commentary videos and later released on bail. Abebe Fikir of The Reporter was also briefly detained.
In a separate incident, three staff members from Addis Standard were detained during a raid on the outlet’s newsroom. All three were released the same day, but the incident has sparked outcry from media rights advocates.
These arrests took place as Ethiopia’s House of People’s Representatives passed an amendment to the 2021 media law. According to CPJ, the new provisions increase executive influence over the Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) by eliminating public and civil society representation on its board. The law now allows political party members to sit on the board and shifts the power to appoint the EMA’s director general from the board to the Prime Minister.
Critics argue these legal changes weaken the EMA’s independence and may facilitate more government interference in media activities, at a time when Ethiopia’s journalists already face increasing risks.
As calls grow louder from international watchdogs and local advocates for a free and independent press, many are urging the Ethiopian government to reverse course and ensure that journalists can work without fear of harassment or imprisonment.
