Incident
Ethiopia arrests at least six journalists including Sheger FM staff over election-year coverage
Ethiopian authorities arrested at least six journalists between August and September 2025, including three from Sheger FM after the Ethiopian Media Authority ordered the station to delete a broadcast it accused of bias and inciting violence, ahead of national elections scheduled for 2026.123
What happened
Between August and September 2025, Ethiopian authorities arrested at least six journalists and media workers, including radio host Khadar Mohamed Ismail on August 5, radio host Abdulsemed Mohammed on August 11, and journalist Yonas Amare, who was abducted on August 13 and released on August 22 along with Mohammed. On September 3, Sheger FM journalists Tigist Zerihun, Mintamir Tsegaw and Eshete Assefa were arrested after the Ethiopian Media Authority ordered the station to delete an August 29 broadcast it accused of bias and inciting violence. Human Rights Watch said the authorities' renewed efforts to limit independent reporting were aimed at preventing public scrutiny of the government ahead of elections scheduled for 2026, adding that a free press mattered more, not less, in the run-up to a vote. Some of the Sheger FM journalists were granted bail in mid-September while an appeal proceeded.123
What reason was given
Stated justificationThe Ethiopian Media Authority accused the Sheger FM broadcast of "bias and inciting violence" when it ordered the station to remove it.1
What changed for reporting
Independent Ethiopian broadcasters described feeling pressure to delete their own content and hold back coverage under threat of arrest, narrowing reporting on politically sensitive events ahead of the 2026 election.2
Timeline
2025
Who acted
| Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time |
|---|---|---|
| Abiy Ahmed | other | Prime Minister of Ethiopia |
| Ethiopian Media Authority | ordered | Broadcast and media regulator |
Outlets and journalists
| Name | Kind | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| Sheger FM 102.1 | outlet | affected |
Sources
Claims and evidence
Each numbered claim quotes the source it rests on.
- The Ethiopian Media Authority ordered Sheger FM to delete an August 29 broadcast, accusing it of bias and inciting violence.
accusing it of bias and inciting violence
Ethiopia: Surge in Arrests of Journalists, Media Workers, Human Rights Watch, 2025-09-22.Claim 448, checked 2026-09-22. - HRW said the government's renewed efforts to limit reporting were about preventing public scrutiny of its record.
The Ethiopian authorities' renewed efforts to muzzle independent reporting are all about preventing public scrutiny of the government.
Ethiopia: Surge in Arrests of Journalists, Media Workers, Human Rights Watch, 2025-09-22.Claim 449, checked 2026-09-22. - HRW said a free and vibrant media mattered even more ahead of Ethiopia's elections scheduled for 2026.
Everyone's right to a free and vibrant media is even more critical in advance of national elections slated for 2026.
Ethiopia: Surge in Arrests of Journalists, Media Workers, Human Rights Watch, 2025-09-22.Claim 450, checked 2026-09-22.