By Muluken Tekleyohanes | Ambassador Media – June 9, 2025
In a recent televised interview aired across state-run broadcasters, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed dismissed the notion of media neutrality, stating, “There is no neutral media in the world,” and likening media to fire — a force that, according to him, “can be extinguished or not.”
The comments have sparked outrage among press freedom advocates, journalists, and human rights organizations, who accuse the Ethiopian government of increasingly authoritarian tactics, including the suppression of independent journalism and the persecution of reporters.
In the final segment of a four-part interview broadcast last week, Prime Minister Abiy lashed out at unnamed media outlets, accusing them of working to “serve their own interests” and of “misleading the public by spreading false information and fabricated news.” However, critics say the Prime Minister’s remarks are part of a broader campaign to discredit independent journalism and stifle dissent.
Crackdown on Journalists
Since taking office in 2018, Prime Minister Abiy initially promised democratic reforms, including greater media freedom. Yet under his rule, Ethiopia has seen a dramatic reversal. According to local and international watchdog groups, dozens of journalists have been arrested, detained without trial, or forced into exile. Independent media outlets have been shuttered, and access to government officials is tightly controlled.
Notably, Prime Minister Abiy has refused to grant interviews to independent local or international media for several years. Instead, his public communications are largely filtered through state-affiliated outlets, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability.
“Abiy is terrified of being questioned by independent journalists,” said one prominent Ethiopian media analyst, speaking anonymously due to fear of reprisals. “He knows that open scrutiny would expose the realities his government wants to keep hidden — from human rights abuses to corruption and mismanagement.”
Media as a Political Tool
By labeling critical reporting as “false” or “fabricated,” the Ethiopian government has increasingly blurred the line between misinformation and legitimate dissent. This tactic, analysts say, has allowed the administration to consolidate power while evading responsibility for human rights violations, including those committed during military operations in conflict zones such as Tigray, Oromia, and Amhara.
Calling the media a fire that can be extinguished is not just a metaphor — it’s a chilling reflection of the government’s view of the press. This rhetoric, combined with real-world repression, makes Ethiopia one of the most dangerous places for journalists in Africa.
A Call for International Accountability
International organizations continue to urge the Ethiopian government to halt its crackdown on press freedom, release detained journalists, and allow independent media to operate without harassment or censorship. However, with Prime Minister Abiy’s increasingly hostile stance, prospects for change appear bleak.
As Ethiopia prepares for future elections and continues to face internal instability, the role of a free and independent press remains more vital than ever. Yet under Abiy’s rule, truth itself seems to have become a casualty.
