CPJ condemns Ethiopian crackdown on independent media

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned what it called an escalating campaign by Ethiopian authorities against Addis Standard, one of the country’s leading independent news outlets, following the detention and assault of its Editor-in-Chief, a raid on its newsroom, destruction of equipment, and an eviction order against its offices.

Editor-in-Chief Yonas Kedir was seized by security personnel on August 1, physically assaulted, and held for approximately 24 hours while undergoing prolonged interrogation before being released.

State security and intelligence officers then raided the newsroom, destroying studio lighting systems, microphone stands, power accessories, and other production equipment essential to operations, according to JAKENN Publishing PLC, which publishes Addis Standard.

On August 3, the owner of the premises where Addis Standard has operated for 16 years was compelled by the police to issue an eviction notice ordering the organization to vacate within three days. The incidents represent a significant escalation in pressure against the publication, which is currently pursuing a legal challenge against the Ethiopian Media Authority over its February decision to revoke the outlet’s online media registration certificate.

CPJ noted a broader pattern of pressure against Addis Standard. In April 2026, then-Managing Editor Million Beyene was seized by unidentified men and held incommunicado for about two weeks before being released. A 2025 police raid on the newsroom and an employee’s home resulted in the detention of three senior staff members for several hours. The publication’s license was temporarily suspended in 2021, and then-editor Medihane Ekubamichael was detained in 2020.

Emails sent to Ethiopia’s Ministry of Justice and the Government Communication Service requesting comment had not received a response at the time CPJ’s statement was published.

SOURCE: CPJ