Ethiopian authorities are facing strong criticism from Human Rights Watch (HRW), which on Monday called on the government to end what it described as a pattern of harassment and intimidation of independent journalists. The statement came after a new wave of arrests targeting reporters across the country.
“Laetitia Bader, HRW’s deputy Africa director, said: ‘The Ethiopian authorities’ renewed efforts to muzzle independent reporting are all about preventing public scrutiny of the government.’ The government has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Why are Ethiopian journalists being arrested?
On September 3, three reporters from Sheger FM, a private radio station, were arrested after covering protests by health workers demanding better pay. According to HRW, the Ethiopian Media Authority accused the broadcast of bias and inciting violence, ordering it to be removed. Even though the station complied, security forces still detained the journalists. Only one has since been released.
This is not an isolated case. In April, police raided the offices of the Addis Standard, an English-language daily, and detained three employees for several hours. Independent reporters describe a “terrifying” climate, with repression intensifying as the country prepares for elections in June 2026.
What is Ethiopia’s press freedom situation today?
When Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018, he was widely praised for opening space for civil liberties after nearly three decades of authoritarian rule under the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. However, rights groups argue that the progress quickly reversed, especially following the outbreak of civil war in 2020.
This year, Reporters Without Borders ranked Ethiopia 145th out of 180 countries in its press freedom index, dropping four places from 2024. The group reported that eight journalists remain behind bars, highlighting the scale of the crackdown.
Rights organizations warn that silencing independent media will only deepen mistrust ahead of national elections, urging Ethiopia to protect journalists instead of punishing them for doing their work.
By Risper Akinyi
