A new report by the International Media Support (IMS) has revealed alarming safety concerns for journalists in Ethiopia, highlighting a significant rise in threats, harassment, and attacks against media professionals in 2024. The report, part of the IMS Knowledge for Peace (K4P) series, underscores the precarious environment for journalists operating in conflict zones and politically sensitive regions.
The assessment documented a wide range of safety risks faced by journalists, including arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, physical and psychological harassment, and digital surveillance. In 2024 alone, 43 journalists were arrested, with three cases of enforced disappearances reported—two of whom remain missing.
Conflict-prone regions such as Amhara, Oromia, and Benishangul Gumuz emerged as hotspots for journalist safety violations. In these areas, journalists were frequently targeted by both government forces and insurgent groups. The report noted that government authorities often cited “national security” as a justification for detaining journalists, while insurgents accused them of bias or demanded ransom payments.
“Journalists are caught between government crackdowns and armed group intimidation,” the report stated. “This dual threat has forced many to self-censor or avoid reporting on critical issues altogether.”
Female journalists in Ethiopia face additional layers of risk, including gender-based violence and discrimination. The Ethiopian Media Women Association (EMWA) has been actively organizing roundtable discussions to address these challenges and advocate for equal opportunities for women in the media sector.
The report also highlighted concerns over proposed amendments to Ethiopia’s Media Proclamation No. 1238/2021. Media professionals fear that the changes could undermine press freedom and self-regulation while increasing government control over journalistic activities.
Despite these challenges, there have been some positive developments. The Ethiopian Mass Media Professionals Association (EMMPA) has issued public statements demanding justice for jailed journalists, while the Editors Guild of Ethiopia has launched a multilingual web portal to monitor press freedom violations. Additionally, the Coalition for Safety of Journalists (CSoJ), legally registered in 2024, has become a key advocate for journalist safety and media independence in Ethiopia.
The IMS report calls on the Ethiopian government to end arbitrary arrests and intimidation of journalists and ensure accountability for crimes against media professionals by conducting impartial investigations, among others.
It also urges warring parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect journalists operating in conflict zones.
