Official CPJ report–At least 7 journalists detained in Ethiopia on terror allegations
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged Ethiopian authorities to immediately halt terrorism investigations against seven journalists working for the privately-owned Ethiopian Broadcasting Service (EBS). These journalists were detained following allegations of fabricating a segment in their popular television program, Addis Meiraf. The situation has drawn criticism from international press freedom advocates and sparked widespread concerns over the state of media rights in Ethiopia.
The controversy began after a March 23 episode of Addis Meiraf, during which Birtukan Temesgen alleged that she had been abducted and raped by men in military uniforms while she was a university student in 2020. Days after the broadcast, on March 27, Birtukan appeared on the state-owned Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation to publicly retract her claims. She stated that the allegations presented in the program were fabricated. Following this, on March 28, EBS founder Amman Fissehazion issued a formal apology, acknowledging that the station had failed to properly fact-check the claims before airing the program. Fissehazion expressed regret over the lapse in journalistic standards and confirmed the program’s suspension.
In response, the Ethiopian Media Authority announced on April 1 that it had suspended Addis Meiraf, pending what it described as “corrective actions.” The regulatory body cited concerns about journalistic integrity and accountability. However, authorities took matters further, detaining Birtukan along with the seven EBS journalists involved in the program’s production. They were subsequently remanded for 14 days to allow police to carry out investigations into the incident.
The arrests have been widely criticized as excessive and disproportionate. Speaking on the matter, CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Muthoki Mumo stated, “Arresting journalists on terrorism allegations is a disproportionate response to concerns over lapses in journalistic ethics, particularly as EBS has already faced regulatory sanction. Such actions have a chilling effect on press freedom and discourage critical reporting.”
Authorities claim the journalists were attempting to incite violence, threaten constitutional order, and collaborate with “extremist” groups operating in the Amhara region. The journalists—identified as Nebiyu Tiumelissan, Tariku Haile, Hilina Tarekegn, Niter Dereje, Girma Tefera, Henok Abate, and Habtamu Alemayehu—were arrested in a series of raids. The first arrests took place on March 26, during which police raided the EBS offices and forced the station off air for several hours. Subsequent arrests were made on March 27 and March 28.
This is not the first time Ethiopia’s federal government has faced accusations of cracking down on dissent. Over the years, journalists, activists, and even members of parliament have been imprisoned or harassed for their criticism of the government. Among the most high-profile cases are those of Yohannes Boyalew and Christian Tadele, both members of parliament who were detained for their outspoken opposition to government policies.
Yohannes Boyalew, a vocal critic of government actions in the Amhara region, was arrested and charged with incitement and conspiracy against the state. His arrest drew widespread condemnation from opposition groups and international observers, who argued that his detention was politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissent within the legislature.
Similarly, Christian Tadele, known for his advocacy on behalf of marginalized communities, was imprisoned under charges of attempting to destabilize the government. Tadele’s arrest, like Boyalew’s, has been widely criticized as part of a broader campaign to stifle political opposition and suppress free speech in Ethiopia.
The imprisonment of these MPs has raised significant concerns about the shrinking democratic space in Ethiopia. Rights groups have pointed to these cases as evidence of an ongoing pattern of suppressing dissent and consolidating power, often through the use of sweeping anti-terrorism laws and other legal tools.
Adding complexity to the Addis Meiraf case, Birtukan did not name her university during the broadcast. However, some observers have speculated that she may have been referring to Dambi Dollo University, located in the western Oromia state. This institution was the site of a high-profile incident in 2019, during which ethnic Amhara students were reportedly abducted. Despite these speculations, Dambi Dollo University has denied that Birtukan was ever enrolled as a student.
The situation has sparked a larger conversation about the responsibilities of media organizations and the extent to which governments can impose punitive measures. While EBS has acknowledged its editorial oversight failures and taken corrective actions, critics argue that the arrests of journalists on charges as severe as terrorism set a dangerous precedent.
The unfolding case has captured the attention of local and international rights organizations, who view it as a test of Ethiopia’s commitment to press freedom, political plurality, and the rule of law. Advocates continue to call for the immediate release of the detained journalists and members of parliament, urging the Ethiopian government to protect, rather than punish, those who seek to hold it accountable.
