Ambassador Redwan Hussein states media outlets are subject to statutory obligations regardless of financial standing or foreign backing following criticism over publication bans
By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — Senior Ethiopian official Ambassador Redwan Hussein defended state regulatory enforcement against domestic media institutions, warning that financial standing, owner influence, or international connections do not grant any publisher immunity from federal law.
Addressing press freedom concerns, Ambassador Redwan noted that the decline of print media represents a global trend rather than a dynamic specific to Ethiopia. Responding to international pushback over administrative sanctions, he emphasized that statutory obligations apply uniformly across all licensed outlets regardless of their capital base or foreign diplomatic backing.
The comments follow statements from Human Rights Watch criticizing the indefinite publication ban on The Reporter newspaper. Human Rights Watch characterized the administrative suspension of The Reporter as part of an escalating crackdown on civic space, calling on international partners to urge federal authorities to reverse the decision.
Defending the regulatory actions, Ambassador Redwan detailed that administrative authorities conducted prior consultations with non-compliant organizations, stating that authorities advised several outlets up to 15 times and offered clear opportunities to rectify editorial breaches before enacting regulatory measures. He noted that while certain investors establish outlets without operational understanding or oversight of editorial staff, the state evaluates whether infractions arise from professional ignorance or deliberate intent to cause disruption.
Highlighting regulatory criteria, the ambassador cited foreign broadcasting entity Al Jazeera as an example, asserting that foreign organizations providing balanced coverage of Ethiopian affairs receive equal treatment with state media like the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC).
Ambassador Redwan reiterated that licensed media remain accountable to parliamentary procedures and governing laws. He maintained that state actions against non-compliant entities are designed to enforce institutional compliance and establish regulatory boundaries rather than limit democratic expansion.
__
Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian News updates regularly. Subscribe to YouTube channel To share information or for submission, send e-mail to info@borkena.com
To Support Borkena : https://borkena.com/subscribe-borkena/ – one time support or small monthly options available. Inquire information about it : info@borkena.com