RSF - Reporters sans frontières
RSF - Reporters sans frontières
11/03/2026 | Press release | Archived content
Ethiopia: unjustified suspension of The Reporter, the country’s largest and oldest independent media outlet
On 2 November, the Ethiopian Media Authority indefinitely suspended the licence of The Reporter, the country's oldest independent media organisation. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns yet another decision based on vague allegations and calls on the regulator to reverse it.
The Reporter's English- and Amharic-language newspapers, along with its digital platforms have ceased operations. In a statement published on 2 November, the Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) accused the media organisation of disseminating "information that tarnishes the country's image and undermines national security". Without identifying the content in question, the regulator alleged that several articles published by the outlet were "contrary to Ethiopia's national interests". The decision comes amid renewed conflict in the northern Tigray region since September 2026.
The decision has stunned Ethiopia's media community. "I had to check the news three times," said an Ethiopian journalist who wished to remain anonymous. "No one would have believed that the government would go as far as shutting them down," he added. Founded in 1995, The Reporter is the country's largest privately owned media organisation, employing several hundred people. The EMA has not responded to RSF's requests for comment.
"The Ethiopian authorities have abruptly deprived hundreds of employees of their jobs and millions of citizens of an independent source of news and information. The decision to suspend the operations of the country's oldest independent media organisation, based on vague allegations that its reporting harmed the country's image and national security, - without specifying the content in question - is a serious blow to media pluralism. The authorities must not use national security as a pretext to silence the press. We call on the regulator to reverse this abusive measure immediately and restore The Reporter's right to report freely without delay.
Sadibou Marong
Director, RSF Sub-Saharan Africa
This is not the first time the Ethiopian Media Authority has taken such action against an independent media outlet. In February 2026, it revoked the online registration certificate of Addis Standard, again citing unsubstantiated allegations of breaches of journalistic ethics and harm to national interests. The independent outlet challenged the decision in court and has faced escalating pressure and intimidation since early August.
Published on 03.11.2026
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