On the evening of April 23, 2025, Abebe Fikir, a journalist working with The Reporter, one of Ethiopia’s leading independent newspapers, was arrested under unclear circumstances while carrying out his professional duties. According to reports, he was collecting news information from officials at Lideta Sub-city, attempting to ensure a balanced account for a developing story. His sudden detention, without formal charges or immediate disclosure of his whereabouts, is not an isolated event but part of a troubling and expanding pattern of state repression against independent media in Ethiopia.
The Incident: A Snapshot of Press Harassment
Abebe’s arrest occurred at dusk, a time often associated with politically motivated apprehensions that avoid public scrutiny. Witnesses state he was engaged in legitimate journalistic inquiry, seeking comment from local officials to present a comprehensive report. This effort to adhere to journalistic ethics by including government voices ironically led to his detention.
After his arrest, The Reporter was unable to determine his location, prompting concern over possible incommunicado detention. It was only after the newspaper formally inquired with the Addis Ababa Police Commission that his whereabouts were confirmed. Abebe was being held at Gejja Sefer Police Station in Lideta Sub-city, but even then, no official reason for his arrest was communicated.
The Broader Context: Journalism Under Siege
Abebe’s case must be viewed within a wider context of escalating press repression in Ethiopia. Since the political reforms of 2018, which saw a temporary opening of the media space, the country has regressed significantly. The initial optimism that accompanied Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s rise to power—marked by the release of political prisoners and journalists—has largely evaporated.
According to reports from international watchdogs like Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the Ethiopian government has intensified its crackdown on media freedom, particularly in the context of political unrest, civil conflict, and growing ethnic tensions. Between 2022 and 2024, over 60 journalists were detained across the country, many held without charge for extended periods. Some have faced charges under vague anti-terrorism and national security laws, often used to silence dissent.
The case of Temesgen Desalegn, the managing editor of Feteh magazine, is another high-profile example. He was arrested in 2022 and later sentenced on charges of inciting unrest through his reporting. Similarly, in 2023, at least 15 journalists were arrested in a sweeping raid targeting media outlets critical of the government’s handling of conflicts in the Amhara and Tigray regions.
Legal and Political Frameworks Enabling Repression
Ethiopia’s legal framework continues to enable press suppression. While the 2021 Media Proclamation was supposed to usher in a new era of press freedom, it has been inconsistently applied. Moreover, laws such as the 2009 Anti-Terrorism Proclamation and various emergency decrees grant sweeping powers to security forces to detain individuals deemed a “threat to national unity or stability,” often without judicial oversight.
In many cases, journalists like Abebe are arrested under suspicion rather than evidence, and they are denied legal representation during initial interrogations. Courts frequently delay bail hearings or ignore habeas corpus provisions, essentially legalizing prolonged arbitrary detention.
Psychological and Institutional Intimidation
Apart from physical detention, journalists face other forms of harassment: surveillance, threats, cyber-attacks on media websites, and social media disinformation campaigns aimed at delegitimizing their work. Institutions such as the Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) have revoked licenses of outlets for “unethical journalism,” often targeting those critical of the government.
For Abebe, this climate of fear and uncertainty adds to the psychological burden of his profession. His arrest sends a chilling message to others in the media landscape: even efforts to report fairly and with balance can be construed as subversive.
Why Abebe’s Case Matters
Abebe Fikir is not just a name on a growing list of detained journalists. His case highlights a deeper contradiction in Ethiopia’s political narrative. While the government touts progress and reform, its actions against journalists betray authoritarian tendencies. His arrest, in the context of seeking official comment, shows that no level of journalistic diligence can shield reporters from state retaliation.
Moreover, the lack of transparency in his arrest—no charges filed, no due process followed, and an initial concealment of his detention site—exemplifies a broader breakdown in rule of law and governance. It suggests an environment where security agencies operate with impunity, and where the basic rights of citizens, particularly those in the media, can be violated without accountability.
Impact on the Free Press and Society
A free press is the cornerstone of any democratic society. In Ethiopia, where ethnic tensions, economic challenges, and political divisions are profound, the role of an independent media is critical. Suppressing journalists like Abebe Fikir does not just silence an individual voice—it deprives the public of vital information and undermines democratic discourse.
This crackdown also affects media institutions. Self-censorship becomes common, investigative journalism declines, and public trust in the media erodes. Over time, this contributes to an information vacuum, where rumors, propaganda, and state narratives dominate public discourse.
International Response and the Need for Solidarity
Global organizations have condemned Ethiopia’s deteriorating press freedom. RSF ranked Ethiopia 114th out of 180 countries in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index, a significant decline from its 2019 ranking. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has also called on Ethiopia to uphold its constitutional commitment to freedom of expression.
However, condemnation alone is insufficient. There needs to be concerted diplomatic pressure on the Ethiopian government to release arbitrarily detained journalists, revise repressive laws, and ensure independent oversight of security forces. The international community must support local journalism through funding, training, and protection mechanisms.
Conclusion: A Crossroads for Media Freedom
The arrest of Abebe Fikir is a stark reminder that journalism in Ethiopia is under siege. It represents not just an attack on a reporter, but an assault on truth, transparency, and accountability. Ethiopia stands at a crossroads: it can either uphold the values of press freedom enshrined in its constitution or slide further into authoritarian control marked by fear and silence.
In defending Abebe Fikir, we defend every journalist striving to inform the public, hold power to account, and contribute to a more just and democratic Ethiopia. The time to speak out—and act—is now.
