In a grim escalation of state repression, Ethiopia’s independent journalism is once again under attack. Just a month ago, The Reporter’s own journalist Abebe Fikir was arrested while investigating dubious activities surrounding officials of the Addis Ababa City Administration. This blatant act of suppression is part of a systemic pattern aimed at silencing voices that dare to question the government’s narrative—a trend that now includes an unprecedented ban from Parliament for The Reporter’s journalists.
For over 30 years, reporters covered Ethiopia’s parliamentary proceedings without hindrance—a cornerstone of post-1988 democratic reforms following the ratification of the nation’s federal constitution. However, since April 6, 2017, The Reporter’s team has been met with a cold, unexplained wall at the Parliament’s entrance. Security personnel, offering nothing more than a terse “reporters are not allowed to enter,” have effectively silenced an institution that has witnessed decades of political debate and accountability.
This is not a fleeting oversight. The Reporter’s official statement reveals that inquiries lodged with key parliamentary officials—ranging from the Secretary and the Speaker of Parliament to oversight bodies—have yielded nothing but silence. When questioned, both the secretary and the deputy secretary deflected responsibility, leaving the public with a profound lack of transparency and accountability. The chilling absence of documented justification not only undermines constitutional guarantees but also casts a long shadow over Ethiopia’s democratic ethos.
The ban on access to Parliament is emblematic of a broader strategy under the Prosperity Party’s leadership—a strategy marked by opacity, intimidation, and disregard for democratic norms. Critics contend that this clampdown on independent media, exemplified by the detainment of Abebe Fikir and the engineered exclusion of The Reporter’s coverage from the legislative chamber, is a calculated maneuver designed to shield the government’s controversial decisions. From a deadly drone strike in Gedeb that left over 100 people dead to the murkily orchestrated Ethio Telecom share sale riddled with accusations of market manipulation, the government’s actions are increasingly seen as prioritizing power over the public good.
The systematic suppression of The Reporter’s work is more than an isolated incident—it is a marker of a deteriorating commitment to press freedom and democratic responsibility. The Reporter, dedicated solely to giving the public a transparent view of parliamentary discussions and governmental decisions, now finds itself at the frontline of a veritable assault on independent journalism. Their formal appeals to numerous governmental authorities have gone unanswered, fueling suspicions of a deliberate campaign to obscure public accountability.
As Ethiopia grapples with these ominous signs of authoritarian drift, the message is clear: a free press is indispensable to holding power to account. The government’s reckless disregard for constitutional norms and ethical governance not only endangers individual journalists but risks corroding the very foundations of democracy. With every journalist detained and every inquiry dismissed into silence, the Prosperity Party deepens its isolation from a citizenry that increasingly demands transparency, accountability, and above all, the right to information.
In these turbulent times, the courage of The Reporter’s journalists stands as a beacon for all those who believe in a free, accountable press. The ongoing assault on their right to observe and report on legislative processes is a stark reminder: when independent voices are muzzled, the whole society pays the price in lost transparency and eroded public trust. As Ethiopia enters a crossroads that could shape its future, the call for reform grows ever louder—demanding that those in power respect the essential role of the press in a vibrant democracy.
