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Who Gets to Decide What Is Against Ethiopia's National Interest?

BirrMetrics · yesterday · Read the Full Story on BirrMetrics
Who Gets to Decide What Is Against Ethiopia's National Interest?
AI SUMMARY

The indefinite suspension of The Reporter by the Ethiopian Media Authority after three decades of operation raises critical questions about media freedom, regulatory accountability, and the definition of national interest.

  • On 2 November, the Ethiopian Media Authority indefinitely suspended the registration of Media and Communication Center PLC, publisher of the Amharic and English editions of The Reporter.
  • The Authority accused the newspaper of publishing distorted, unbalanced, and unverified information that undermined national interests, threatened security, and affected foreign investment, tourism, and diplomacy.
  • The regulator stated it monitored the newspaper for over a year, held discussions, and issued a final warning before taking action, though its public statement did not identify specific offending articles.
  • Ambassador Redwan Hussien, Director-General of NISS and Board Chairman of the Ethiopian Media Authority, defended the disciplinary approach and emphasized that freedom and accountability are inseparable.
  • Article 29 of the Ethiopian Constitution and Media Proclamation No. 1238/2021 guarantee press freedom and operational independence while setting legal accountability standards.
  • Legal and human rights concerns persist regarding the statutory basis for an indefinite suspension of a print publisher's registration compared to broadcasting licences.
  • The suspension follows similar actions against other independent outlets including Addis Standard and Wazema Radio earlier in 2026.
Read the Full Story on BirrMetrics
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