Ethiopian authorities have detained seven journalists. This action has triggered concern among press freedom advocates and human rights organizations. The detention followed a local broadcaster airing a report. The report involved a rape allegation against a prominent figure reportedly linked to the government.
The Ethiopian journalists work for the YouTube-based media outlet Ethio News Network (ENN). They were arrested over the weekend in the capital Addis Ababa and the Amhara region. This followed the channel’s release of an investigative segment. The segment featured the testimony of a woman who alleged she was raped by a senior government-aligned militia leader.
According to local sources and media watchdogs, federal security forces raided ENN’s offices. They confiscated broadcasting equipment, laptops, and mobile phones. Among those detained are ENN’s editor-in-chief, two investigative reporters, and four production staff.
The woman featured in the ENN report alleged that the incident occurred in late 2023. It happened during a security operation in the Amhara region. The accused, according to the broadcast, holds a senior position within a local militia group. This group has received backing from federal authorities. They supported the group during Ethiopia’s recent internal conflicts.
The Ethiopian government has not yet released an official statement regarding the detentions. Individuals close to the arrested journalists say they are being held under accusations of “spreading false information” and “inciting public unrest.”
However, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have condemned the arrests, calling them a blatant attempt to suppress investigative journalism and silence critical voices.
Press freedom in Ethiopia has faced significant setbacks in recent years. This is especially true in the wake of civil unrest and regional conflicts. Despite initial reforms that followed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s rise to power in 2018, Ethiopia has faced setbacks. Early changes included the release of political prisoners and unblocking of independent media outlets. However, there has been a steady reversal of those gains.
According to RSF’s 2024 World Press Freedom Index, Ethiopia ranks 130th out of 180 countries, reflecting increased censorship, arrests of journalists, and government interference in media operations.
Journalists working in conflict zones, especially in Tigray and Amhara, have faced mounting threats. Many operate in fear of reprisals from both state forces and armed groups. ENN, though small, has gained a following for its bold coverage of sensitive issues, including alleged human rights violations, corruption, and sexual violence.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have both issued statements demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the detained journalists. “Journalism is not a crime,” said Laetitia Bader, Horn of Africa Director at Human Rights Watch. “The Ethiopian government must respect freedom of the press and stop persecuting journalists for doing their jobs.”
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), an independent institution. It is mandated to investigate rights violations. It has confirmed the review of the arrests. The commission is looking into the circumstances surrounding the arrests. In a preliminary statement, the EHRC expressed concern over “what appears to be an infringement on journalistic freedom and the public’s right to information.”
The international community has increasingly voiced concern over shrinking civic space in Ethiopia. The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa posted on social media that it is “closely monitoring the situation” and urged Ethiopian authorities to “respect constitutional protections for a free press.”
The European Union also called on Ethiopia to uphold the rule of law and ensure transparency in the handling of the detained journalists.
The incident underscores the volatile environment in which Ethiopian journalists operate and highlights the growing tension between state power and press freedom.
Observers warn that continued repression of media outlets could not only silence vital reporting but also undermine Ethiopia’s efforts toward national reconciliation and democratic reform.
As families of the arrested await updates on their legal status, press advocates fear that the message being sent is chilling: covering politically sensitive topics—especially those involving allegations against powerful figures—can carry serious personal risks.