Ethiopia's Assault on Independent Media Escalates

Ethiopian authorities are escalating their assault on media freedom in the country. The recent detention and questioning of Yonas Kedir, the editor-in-chief of Addis Standard, is the latest example of the government's efforts to silence independent media.

The incident began on August 1, when unidentified security personnel detained Kedir and questioned him for 24 hours about the independent news outlet's reporting. The following day, security and intelligence officials raided the outlet's offices, damaging and confiscating equipment.

Addis Standard has faced similar challenges before. In April, men in plainclothes seized the outlet's managing editor, Million Beyene, and held him incommunicado for nearly two weeks before releasing him without charge. The authorities have yet to publicly explain his detention.

The government's harassment of Addis Standard reflects a broader campaign by Ethiopian authorities to silence independent media and deter reporting it deems too critical or sensitive. In the past year, authorities have arbitrarily arrested scores of journalists, holding some incommunicado, while media outlets and journalists have had their accreditation or licenses revoked.

The Ethiopian Media Authority has also targeted other independent media outlets, including Arts TV and Ahadu FM. On July 31, the authority issued "final written warnings" to these outlets, threatening further action that could include suspension or revocation of their licenses.

| Outlet | License Status | Warning Status | | --- | --- | --- | | Addis Standard | Revoked | Challenging in court | | Arts TV | Accredited | Final written warning | | Ahadu FM | Accredited | Final written warning |

The repeated targeting of Addis Standard, together with regulatory threats against other independent broadcasters, points to an increasingly hostile environment for independent media in Ethiopia. This trend has worsened since the country's June elections and has continued to deteriorate.

The government's actions have been met with silence from Ethiopia's international partners. They should publicly condemn the government's latest attacks and press the authorities to respect media freedom and ensure journalists can report without fear of arbitrary detention, intimidation, or reprisals.

The international community has a responsibility to speak out against the government's repression of independent media. By remaining silent, they risk emboldening the Ethiopian government to continue its assault on media freedom.