Ethiopia’s independent media sector continues to face mounting challenges, according to the latest findings from Reporters Without Borders. The nation has dropped to the 148th position in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, marking a further decline in the country’s media landscape. Declining Standards and Security Threats The country’s press […]
Tag: FreedomOfExpression
From Reformer to Repressor: Abiy Ahmed’s Crackdown on the Media
Few political reversals in recent African history have been as stark as Ethiopia’s descent from a celebrated model of press reform into one of the continent’s most hostile environments for independent journalism. At the center of this reversal stands Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, a leader who once earned global admiration […]
When Music Says What Politics Cannot: Lidetu Ayalew’s Reflections on the Etorika Phenomenon
The release of Ethiopian music icon Teddy Afro’s comeback album Etorika has done far more than dominate streaming charts, it has sparked a profound national conversation about politics, identity, emotion, and the power of art in a country under deep strain. Among those moved to put their thoughts into words […]
Ethiopia Arrests Teddy Afro’s Spokesperson and Close Associates as Government Crackdown Widens
Ethiopian authorities have arrested two individuals with close ties to renowned music icon Teddy Afro, born Tewodros Kassahun, in what observers are calling an alarming escalation of government pressure on the celebrated artist and those around him. The arrests come just days after the release of his highly anticipated comeback […]
Music as a Crime? Ethiopia Reportedly Arrests 105 Youths Over Teddy Afro’s Album
Ethiopian authorities have reportedly detained at least 105 young people in the nation’s capital, Addis Ababa, in connection with Teddy Afro’s newly released album Etorika, in what critics are calling an alarming crackdown on cultural expression ahead of the country’s upcoming national election. According to reports, police are claiming the […]