In a nationally broadcast interview, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed accused “some” Ethiopian media outlets, accusing them of “working to serve their own interests than putting national interest first.”
“Media is like fire – it can either destroy or build,” he said, adding that “there is no such thing as an independent media in the world.” He warned that certain outlets are “misleading the public by spreading false information and fabricated news.”
These talking points were revisited during a panel discussion held on 7 June where officials from the Government Communication Service accused commercial media, which constitutes independent media, of sidelining national agendas. State Minister Tesfahun Gobezay said, “Some media do not report on national matters with sufficient depth or accuracy,” adding that a fear of losing audience share was leading to underreporting of positive developments. He acknowledged government gaps in access to information but blamed “unbalanced” reporting for fueling institutional reluctance to share data.
These developments come amid growing international concern over Ethiopia’s media climate. Ethiopia now ranks 145th out of 180 countries on the 2025 World Press Freedom Index – its lowest ever. Earlier this year, 14 diplomatic missions based in the capital expressed concerns over “significant pressure” on freedom of expression and called for greater protections for journalists.
A recent legal amendment to the media law has shifted the power to nominate Ethiopia’s media regulator from Parliament to the Prime Minister, prompting warnings from civil society about increased executive control.
https://addisstandard.com/pm-abiy-accuses-some-media-outlets-of-prioritizing-self-interest-over-national-interest/?amp=1