Press Freedom Concerns Mount In Ethiopia Following Abduction And Detentions
News Report: Press Freedom Concerns Mount in Ethiopia Following Abduction and Detentions
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The climate for press freedom in Ethiopia is under increasing scrutiny following a series of alarming incidents, including the abduction of a newspaper editor and the detention of two other journalists. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has voiced deep concern over the situation, which highlights a deteriorating environment for media professionals in the country.
On August 13, Yonas Amare, an editor with the privately owned The Reporter newspaper, was abducted from his home in Sheger City, on the outskirts of the capital, Addis Ababa. Eyewitnesses reported that masked men, some in military uniforms, confiscated mobile phones in the area before abducting Yonas. Addis Ababa police have denied having him in custody, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of repression against journalists. In a separate event on August 5, police in Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State arrested Khadar Mohamed Ismael, a reporter with the state-owned Somali Regional Television (SRTV). He has been held without formal charges, reportedly questioned about a social media post that was critical of the government.
Additionally, radio host Abdulsemed Mohammed of Ahadu Radio went missing on August 11. He was later seen accompanying police officers during a search of his office. His current location is also unknown.
These events align with a history of press freedom issues in Ethiopia. Despite a period of reform initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, which initially led to the release of many imprisoned journalists, the country has seen a reversal in press freedom gains. The government has increasingly used anti-terrorism laws and other legislation to detain journalists and restrict reporting, particularly on sensitive topics such as internal conflicts and political dissent.
Human rights organizations, including CPJ have consistently documented cases of harassment, arbitrary detention, and forced disappearances of journalists. This has created a climate of fear, leading to self-censorship and a stifling of independent reporting.
Muthoki Mumo, CPJ Africa Program Coordinator, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Ethiopia, a country that already has a stained press freedom record, is increasingly becoming a hostile environment for journalists. Authorities must urgently investigate Yonas Amare’s abduction, hold the perpetrators accountable, and unconditionally release journalists Khadar Mohamed Ismael and Aduselmed Mohammed.”
The CPJ has attempted to reach out to Ethiopian federal and Addis Ababa police, as well as the Somali Region communication affairs bureau for comments, but has not received a reply. The fate of the three journalists remains a pressing concern for international press freedom advocates.
The Deterioration of Media Freedom and the Rise of Exiled Journalists Since 2019
The recent cases of abduction and detention of journalists in Ethiopia are not isolated incidents but rather part of a troubling trend that has intensified since 2019. Following the ascent of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018, Ethiopia experienced a brief period of optimism, marked by the release of imprisoned journalists and the unblocking of many websites. This led to a significant jump in the country’s press freedom rankings.
However, this period of reform has been severely eroded, particularly with the outbreak of the conflict in the Tigray region in late 2020 and subsequent conflicts in Amhara and Oromia. Reports from organizations like Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) indicate a steep decline in press freedom.
According to a CPJ report, at least 92 media workers were detained between 2019 and early 2024, with another source placing the number over 200. Journalists have been arrested on vague charges, such as “inciting violence” or “disseminating false information,” and are often held for extended periods without due process.
Based on recent reports from sources like the U.S. State Department and human rights organizations, the Ethiopian government has continued to crack down on press freedom in response to internal conflicts, particularly in the Amhara and Oromia regions. This has led to widespread harassment, arbitrary detention, and enforced disappearances of journalists.
Key details include:
- Abductions and Detentions: Authorities are accused of abducting journalists and activists who criticize security operations. In many cases, individuals are held at undisclosed locations, and their detention is not acknowledged by authorities.
- Internet and Communication Blackouts: The government, through the state-owned telecommunications company, has used nationwide and regional internet shutdowns and communication blackouts to control the flow of information, especially in conflict zones.
- Judicial Obstruction: Despite courts granting bail, police have reportedly refused to release journalists, instead filing new charges or transferring them to other jurisdictions to prolong their detention.
- Exile: A significant number of journalists have been forced to flee the country to escape threats, and some continue to face intimidation even in exile.
This oppressive environment has directly contributed to a growing exodus of journalists seeking safety abroad. Since 2019, dozens of Ethiopian journalists have fled the country, often with little to no warning, to escape threats of imprisonment, physical violence, and even death.
Many have sought refuge in neighboring countries like Kenya, where they face new challenges, including financial struggles, an inability to continue their work, and even continued threats from agents of the Ethiopian government. Some have managed to find support from international organizations like the CPJ, which has assisted at least 30 exiled journalists from Ethiopia since 2020. However, the majority face a difficult and uncertain future, unable to practice their profession freely and with the constant fear of being targeted in their new homes.
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