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Ethiopia approves controversial media law amendment
Monday April 21, 2025 5:03 PM
The House of Peoples' Representatives on Thursday approved a significant amendment to Ethiopia's Mass Media Proclamation, granting the Prime Minister the authority to nominate the Director General of the Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA). The move marks a major shift in media governance, as the role was previously reserved for parliamentary appointment.
The amendment, revising Proclamation No. 1238/2021, had been under review by the Standing Committee on Democracy Affairs since October 2024. The approved changes repeal key provisions that ensured transparency and public participation in the selection of the EMA's leadership and board members.
Under the revised law, the Prime Minister will now nominate the EMA Director General, with the House retaining the power to approve the appointment. The amendment also removes requirements that board members be selected through an open and transparent process, including public nominations and fair representation of Ethiopia's diversity. Additionally, the prohibition against political party members serving on the board has been eliminated.
The new provisions broadly state that the board will consist of "representatives from different bodies relevant to the media," without specifying sectors such as civil society or media professionals. The amendment also transfers regulatory powers—including licensing, suspension, and fines—from the board to the EMA itself.
Supporters of the amendment argue that it streamlines governance and addresses bureaucratic inefficiencies. EMA officials claim the changes clarify institutional roles while maintaining parliamentary oversight. However, critics warn that the revisions undermine media independence by placing the regulator under executive influence.
The amendment faced strong opposition from journalists, media organizations, and civil rights groups. In November 2024, a coalition of 14 Ethiopian media and civil society organizations, including the Ethiopian Mass Media Professionals Association and the Ethiopian Human Rights Council, criticized the lack of independent study and stakeholder consultation. They argued that the changes risked politicizing media regulation.
International press freedom advocates also condemned the move. The International Press Institute (IPI) urged lawmakers to reject the amendment, warning that it weakens regulatory independence. Dr. Marystella Simiyu, IPI's Africa Senior Legal Advocacy Officer, emphasized that independent media regulators are essential for upholding freedom of expression under international human rights standards.
The amendment comes amid growing concerns over press freedom in Ethiopia. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Ethiopia 141st in its 2024 Global Press Freedom Index, noting a decline due to conflict and renewed repression. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) listed Ethiopia among the worst jailers of journalists in sub Saharan Africa, with six journalists detained—five on terrorism charges.
A recent report by International Media Support (IMS) found that at least 43 journalists faced arrest, imprisonment, or abduction in 2024, signaling a worsening climate for press freedom. Observers fear the new amendments could further restrict independent journalism in Ethiopia.
The government has yet to respond to the criticism, but the changes are expected to take effect soon, reshaping Ethiopia's media landscape under tighter executive control.
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