June 14, 2025
In recent years, Ethiopia has experienced a troubling contraction of its media landscape—a phenomenon that poses serious threats to democracy, transparency, and societal cohesion. The shrinking media space reflects a broader trend of increased restrictions on press freedom and civil liberties, undermining the vital role that independent journalism plays in holding power to account and fostering informed public discourse. The routine violation of journalists’ rights to the basic freedoms they are entitled to under the constitution constitutes a regression of the modicum of improvements witnessed in the early years of the current government. As Ethiopia navigates a raft of complex internal challenges, the decline of vibrant, independent media threatens to further entrench division and hinder progress.
An event that unfolded this week pays testimony to the sad state in which Ethiopia’s media landscape finds itself in. The editor-in-chief of the independent media outlet Ethiopia Insider was jailed for five days on allegations of “dissemination of false information” despite multiple court orders to release him. Sadly, this is not the first time the police willfully ignored court orders. For decades they have brazenly disregarded court orders to release someone on bail, particularly in cases which are politically sensitive. Questions have been raised about the propriety of the reporter’s detention by the. True journalists can and indeed have to answer for crimes they may commit. The police or public prosecutor can summon and ask journalists to give a statement where they have reason to believe that they have broken the law. Once they do so the journalist ought to be immediately released upon executing a bond with or without surety depending on the gravity of the suspected act. In no case should they be placed in custody until they appear before court. If they are found guilty after undergoing a trial they like anybody else, they will be subject to a sentence the court hands down. However much journalists may have strayed off course, they should solely be judged in accordance with the law. Intimidation only serves to suppress freedom of expression.
It is not for nothing that a free media is often called the Fourth Estate; it’s an essential pillar that supports democratic governance, transparency, and accountability. Journalists investigate, analyze, and inform, providing citizens with the knowledge necessary to participate meaningfully in societal debates and decision-making processes. Media also serve as watchdogs, exposing corruption, human rights abuses, and policy failures, thereby encouraging leaders to operate with integrity. In Ethiopia, media outlets once played a pivotal role in shaping national conversations, mobilizing social movements, and promoting peace. However, recent developments suggest a disturbing retreat from these ideals. When journalists and media institutions face censorship, intimidation, or legal harassment, the entire fabric of civic engagement and governance suffers.
Although the Ethiopian government enacted a relatively progressive media law in 2019 that replaced what many regarded to be a draconian law, its actions on the ground have continued to curtail press freedom. It has resorted to the anti-terrorism as well as the hate speech laws, which have been widely criticized for giving law authorities the discretion to prosecute anyone they have a beef with, to raid, shut down or restrict media outlets; journalists have been detained on charges of “incitement” of “terrorism,” or “disseminating hate speech and falsehoods”, rendering critical reporting increasingly risky. These measures are often justified as necessary for national security or stability, especially amid ongoing conflicts and political upheaval, but the impact is a stark narrowing of legitimate space for free expression. The detention of journalists and closures of independent media suppress diverse voices and marginalize dissent. This creates an environment where self-censorship becomes rampant, and the public discourse becomes homogenized and one-dimensional. When critical voices are silenced, the government and society alike lose a vital check on power, corrupt practices go unchecked, and social tensions deepen as grievances remain bottled up and unaddressed.
The decline of media independence has profound implications for Ethiopia’s democratization process. Without robust journalism, citizens lack the tools to understand their rights, hold leaders accountable, and participate actively in shaping the nation’s future. This vacuum fosters an environment ripe for misinformation, manipulation, and polarized narratives—further exacerbating social divisions, especially amid intercommunal conflicts. Moreover, shrinking media space is sure to impede the government’s efforts to communicate transparently with its citizens. In an environment where official channels are the only sources of information, perceptions of government transparency and legitimacy are compromised. The absence of independent media gives rise to the prominence of pro-government narratives and drowns out contrary views, eroding trust and fueling suspicion.
The shrinking media landscape in Ethiopia is not merely an issue for journalists; it strikes at the core of the country’s democratic aspirations, societal resilience, and prospects for sustainable development. If the government is genuinely committed to building a peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous Ethiopia, it needs to acknowledge that a free, independent, and vibrant media is an indispensable pillar of national progress. Restoring media space is both an ethical obligation and a strategic necessity—one that helps create an informed and engaged citizenry, strengthen institutions, and promote accountability and transparency.