On August 13, masked gunmen, some allegedly in military uniform, abducted Yonas Amare, a senior editor working for a privately owned newspaper, at his home on the outskirts of Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa. His whereabouts remained unknown for eight days until his release on August 22.
Earlier last month, another reporter for a privately owned television station was detained after he published a video showing people complaining about the regional government. He has not reappeared since his initial court date on August 9.
Since August, Ethiopian security forces have arbitrarily arrested several journalists and media professionals across the country as authorities increasingly try to muzzle independent reporting to prevent scrutiny of the government.
>> Read about the latest cases
The latest crackdown on independent media follows a slew of other threats to journalists and news outlets since earlier this year after parliament approved widely criticized amendments to Ethiopia’s 2021 media law, which allow for increased political interference.
Nongovernmental organizations, including human rights groups, that openly advocate for the safety of journalists have also come under attack.
The government’s clampdown has created a climate of fear and self-censorship. But ahead of national elections slated for 2026, a free and vibrant media for everyone in Ethiopia is even more critical.
