African Media Barometer Ethiopia

Although the Constitution of 1995 guarantees freedom of expression and the media, fear of speaking openly is widespread. People are generally afraid to express their political opinions freely for fear of repercussions. Criticism of the government is not welcome even if there are no apparent negative consequences.

Some members of the panel felt that the ability to express one’s opinion freely has improved tremendously compared to the previous regimes, and they remain optimistic that things will improve further in the “young democracy” under the current administration. Others felt that the fear of speaking one’s mind was being reinforced after 2005 by legal threats and official statements made by government officials.

Broadcasting, radio in particular, is the medium of choice in Ethiopia. Geographical coverage of radio transmissions has reached an estimated 70 per cent while television coverage is close to 60 per cent. The state-owned Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency (ERTA) operates a National Radio Service and regional radio stations as well as a national television service and some regional TV channels.

Overall, the quality of the content of the media in Ethiopia needs improvement. The principle of fairness in reporting is often compromised by almost all media, be they private or state. The tendency is to be either pro or against the government. Investigative journalism is rare. While the state media are in the business of image building for the government and thus publish mainly “positive” stories, there is also very little investigate reporting in the private media.