A free media is essential for democratic governance, providing citizens with necessary information for civic engagement and decision-making.

Restoring media space is crucial for Ethiopia's democratic aspirations, resilience, and sustainable development, making it both an ethical obligation and a strategic necessity.

Ethiopia's media landscape has severely contracted, threatening democracy and societal cohesion.

This contraction reflects increased restrictions on press freedom and civil liberties, undermining independent journalism's role in holding power accountable.

Despite the 2019 enactment of a progressive media law, the government continues to curtail press freedom using anti-terrorism and hate speech laws.

These laws allow authorities to silence dissent and marginalize critical voices, leading to rampant self-censorship and a homogenized public discourse.

The shrinking media space fosters misinformation and polarized narratives, exacerbating social divisions amid intercommunal conflicts.

The government’s reliance on official channels compromises perceptions of transparency and legitimacy, as independent media voices are silenced.

The police have a history of ignoring court orders, particularly in politically sensitive cases, raising questions about the legality of journalist detentions.

Recent events include the jailing of Ethiopia Insider's editor-in-chief for five days on false information charges, despite court orders for his release.

Journalists should be judged in accordance with the law and not subjected to intimidation, which stifles freedom of expression.

The decline in media independence undermines Ethiopia's democratization process, depriving citizens of the tools to hold leaders accountable and understand their rights.