Articles tagged with “ethiopiamedialaw”

Ethiopia's House of Peoples' Representatives approved amendments to the Mass Media Proclamation on Thursday, granting the Prime Minister authority to nominate the Director General of the Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA). The role was previously reserved for the House. The changes remove requirements for transparent board appointments and public participation in selecting EMA leadership. Critics argue the amendments weaken media independence by placing the regulator under executive influence. Media and civil society groups, including the Ethiopian Mass Media Professionals Association and International Press Institute, opposed the changes, warning they threaten press freedom. The move comes amid growing concerns over Ethiopia's declining press freedom rankings and increased journalist detentions. Reporters Without Borders recently ranked Ethiopia 141st globally for press freedom, citing conflict and repression. At least 43 journalists have faced arrest or harassment this year, according to watchdogs. Authorities defend the amendments as necessary for streamlining bureaucratic inefficiencies.