Africa-Press – Ethiopia. September 22, 2025 2 minutes read Addis Abeba – Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed alarm over a sharp rise in arrests of journalists and media professionals in Ethiopia since August 2025, warning that the crackdown undermines press freedom in the lead-up to the country’s 2026 national elections.
The rights watchdog said at least six media workers have been arbitrarily detained, some held incommunicado or without charge, describing the arrests as “renewed efforts by the government to suppress independent reporting.”
“The Ethiopian authorities’ renewed efforts to muzzle independent reporting are all about preventing public scrutiny of the government,” said Laetitia Bader, HRW’s deputy Africa director. “The authorities should stop targeting journalists and media workers and immediately release those unjustly detained for their work.”
HRW highlighted the September 3 arrests of three Sheger FM 102.1 journalists — Tigist Zerihun, Mintamir Tsegaw, and Eshete Assefa — days after the station aired a report on health workers. The Ethiopian Media Authority had ordered the broadcast removed, accusing it of bias and incitement, but the arrests followed even after compliance. Eshete was released the same day, while Tigist and Mintamir remain in detention despite being granted bail on September 17, after police appealed the decision to the Federal Supreme Court.
Other cases include the August 5 detention of Somali Regional TV journalist Khadar Mohamed Ismail, who remains jailed without charge; the incommunicado detention of radio host Abdulsemed Mohammed until his August 22 release; and the abduction of The Reporter’s senior editor, Yonas Amare, who was held by masked gunmen for eight days before being freed.
The clampdown adds to a broader pattern of intimidation throughout 2025. In March, seven Ethiopian Broadcasting Service (EBS) journalists were charged with terrorism following a broadcast featuring allegations of sexual violence by Ethiopian soldiers. In April, Addis Abeba police raided the offices of Addis Standard, confiscating devices that the outlet later alleged were returned implanted with “surveillance malware.” In June, Ethiopia Insider editor-in-chief Tesfalem Woldeyes was detained on accusations of “disseminating false information” and later released on bail.
The arrests followed parliament’s April 17 approval of amendments to the 2021 media law, which shifted key powers to the prime minister–appointed director general of the Ethiopian Media Authority, while sidelining civil society and professional associations. HRW said these changes, coupled with possible amendments to the 2019 civil society law, “signal a return to authoritarian practices that would chill freedom of speech and opinion.”
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has also drawn criticism for remarks made in June, where he accused media outlets of serving private interests over the public good and claimed that independent media does not exist anywhere in the world.
HRW further noted that NGOs advocating for press freedom have faced mounting pressure, including suspensions, surveillance, and intimidation of activists.
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