UNESCO is the lead UN Agency for promoting freedom of expression and safety of journalists as part of its mandate to “promote the free flow of ideas by word and image”.
Understanding Journalist Safety in Ethiopia
There were big hopes for better safety conditions for Ethiopian journalists with the political leadership change in 2018, which led to immediate release of journalists from prison followed by improved media legislation. In just three years, Ethiopia’s ranking on RSF’s Press Freedom Index climbed by more than 50 steps. However, the situation deteriorated quickly after the breakout of the Tigray War in 2020 followed by brutal armed conflict, which erupted in the Amhara region in 2023. A new wave of arrests of journalists began in 2022. Detentions are commonplace and journalists may remain in police custody for months. The Ethiopian Worlds of Journalism data were collected in 2023 and 2024 when the security situation for journalists as well as for the general population had worsened markedly in various parts of the country. Being a news reporter in either part of the media sector involves physical risks and potential threats from both state actors and non-state actors. Likewise, the digital media are a volatile arena with high degree of polarization and presence of ethno-nationalistic and extremist voices. The surveillance that many Ethiopian journalists experience extends into the digital sphere. The only safety dimension among the four recorded by the Global Index where Ethiopia fares relatively better is the indicator measuring financial safety. Many Ethiopian journalists, especially the two-thirds working for state media organizations, have stable work contracts although many also rely on additional income to make ends meet.
Safety Dimensions
This radar chart displays how the country performs across all four safety dimensions, revealing areas of strength and concern.
Gender Safety Gap
This comparison highlights differences in safety experiences between male and female journalists, revealing potential gender-based disparities.
Physical Safety
The physical dimension carries 50% weight in the safety index. Read the methodology in full.
Journalist Killings (35% weight in physical dimension)
This figure represents the total number of journalist killings in Ethiopia between 2016 and 2024.
Data sourced from UNESCO Observatory of Killed Journalists.
Note: This indicator carries 35% of the weight within the physical dimension of the Safety Index, making it the most significant factor in this category.
Responses to: "I am concerned about my physical wellbeing" (20% weight in physical dimension)
Responses to: "In the last five years, how often have you experienced any of the following actions related to your work as a journalist?"
Arrests, detentions or imprisonment (15% weight in physical dimension)
Sexual assault or sexual harassment (15% weight in physical dimension)
Other physical attacks (15% weight in physical dimension)
Abductions (did not contribute to calculation)
Office raids or seizures or damage of equipment (did not contribute to calculation)
Being required to work in an environment where COVID-19 had easily spread (did not contribute to calculation)
Psychological Safety
The psychological dimension carries 25% weight in the safety index. Read the methodology in full.
Responses to: "I am concerned about my emotional wellbeing" (20% weight in psychological dimension)
Responses to: "In the last five years, how often have you experienced any of the following actions related to your work as a journalist?"
Demeaning or hateful speech directed at you (16% weight in psychological dimension)
Public discrediting of your work (16% weight in psychological dimension)
Legal actions against you because of your work (16% weight in psychological dimension)
Stalking (16% weight in psychological dimension)
Other threats or intimidation directed at you (16% weight in psychological dimension)
Coercion (did not contribute to calculation)
Questioning of your personal morality (did not contribute to calculation)
Workplace bullying (did not contribute to calculation)
Intimidation that targets your family or close associates (did not contribute to calculation)
Digital Safety
The digital dimension carries 12.5% weight in the safety index. Read the methodology in full.
Responses to: "In the last five years, how often have you experienced any of the following actions related to your work as a journalist?"
Surveillance (50% weight in digital dimension)
Hacking or blocking of social media accounts or websites (50% weight in digital dimension)
Others using your byline for fabricated or manipulated stories (did not contribute to calculation)
Others disseminating your personal information (did not contribute to calculation)
Financial Safety
The financial dimension carries 12.5% weight in the safety index. Read the methodology in full.
Responses to: "I am worried about losing my job in journalism within the next 12 months" (20% weight in financial dimension)
Responses to: "Which of the following categories best describes your current working situation as a journalist?" (20% weight in financial dimension)
Responses to "Approximately what percentage of your overall work-related income comes from your work as a journalist?" (20% weight in financial dimension)
Responses to: "How many hours a week on average do you work as a journalist?" (20% weight in financial dimension)
Responses to: "In which of the following categories does your salary as a journalist fall?" (20% weight in financial dimension)
Demographics
This section contains demographic information about survey respondents from Ethiopia.
Coming soon
Demographic information about survey respondents will be available in a future update.