The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an international organization dedicated to defending press freedom, has reported that seven journalists have been arrested in Ethiopia within a month as the government tightens its grip on the media.

In a report released on May 16, 2025, CPJ indicated that the journalists were detained in Addis Ababa, Harari, and the Somali region, raising concerns about increasing media restrictions.

“Journalist Ahmed Awga is one of seven media professionals arrested in a crackdown on press freedom,” CPJ stated.

Awga, founder of the Jigjiga Television Network, was arrested in the Somali region on April 23 and appeared in court two days later, facing legal accusations of inciting unrest. According to the report, his detention followed an interview with a man who alleged that his 16-year-old son had died after being beaten by police. Awga remains in custody pending an investigation, according to his relatives, who spoke anonymously.

CPJ also reported that three media workers were detained for hours in connection with a crackdown on Addis Standard during the same month.

On April 5, 2025, Muhyidin Abdullahi Omar, editor of the Harari Mass Media Agency and founder of the Biyyoo Production YouTube channel, was arrested by police in the Harari region over two social media posts. was arrested by police in the Harari region over two social media posts, according to his wife, Helen Jamal, and an anonymous source familiar with the case.

On April 10, 2025, Fanuel Kinfu, founder of Fantale Media, was taken by police from his Addis Ababa residence and released on bail of 15,000 birr three days later.

On April 23, CPJ reported that Abebe Fikir, a journalist for the Reporter newspaper, was arrested while gathering information from district officials about a housing dispute. However, authorities accused him of filming without permission. He was released on bail of 10,000 birr after two days in detention.

CPJ’s Africa Program Coordinator, Muthoki Mumo, condemned Ethiopia’s declining press freedom, stating:

“Ethiopia’s hostility to the press has been evident in the frequent arrests of critical journalists, and now the country is well on its way to reversing the gains it made in passing its 2021 media law, once considered progressive,” said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Muthoki Mumo.

Mumo urged authorities to release all journalists detained for their reporting and revise or repeal laws that threaten press freedom.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s House of Peoples’ Representatives had discussed and approved a draft proclamation to amend the 2020 Media Reform Proclamation. However, 14 media associations and civil society organizations have criticized the proposed reform, arguing that it undermines the independence and impartiality of the Ethiopia Media Authority (EMA).