By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — The Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) has announced a significant escalation in regulatory enforcement against media operations deemed “illegal or contrary to national security”, while confirming plans to amend the legal framework to enforce mandatory accountability for online and digital outlets.
Speaking on the regulator’s administrative direction, EMA Director General Haymanot Zeleke stated that law enforcement and regulatory bodies will no longer permit unauthorized media organizations that jeopardize public peace or national sovereignty to operate within the country.
Acknowledging that past content monitoring and regulatory enforcement had not achieved its intended baseline effectiveness, Director General Haymanot revealed that the Authority has signed formal Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 16 strategic partner institutions. This multi-agency framework includes key government bodies such as the Document Authentication and Registration Office, the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Service, the Ethiopian National Defense Force, the federal police, and the Financial Security Service, designed to strengthen cross-institutional coordination, build regulatory capacity, and streamline joint enforcement actions.
Under Media Proclamation No. 1238/2021, the EMA holds sole statutory authority to issue, renew, suspend, and revoke operating licenses across print, broadcast, online, and foreign media sectors operating within Ethiopian jurisdiction. According to the Authority, there are currently 329 registered local and international media organizations operating in the country.
The EMA highlighted growing concern over content disseminated via digital platforms, noting that practices directly undermining national interests are becoming increasingly widespread across online channels. The regulator has a recurring history of suspending media outlets—including the German broadcaster DW’s Amharic service—on alleged grounds of violating media rules and broadcasting “hate speech,” and recently issued formal warnings to local broadcasters Ahadu Radio and Arts TV.
To address existing legal loopholes—specifically under provisions where online media registration was previously voluntary—the regulator confirmed that draft amendments to the media proclamation are being finalized. The upcoming legislative overhaul will establish:
- Mandatory Digital Registration: Mandatory registration and licensing requirements for individuals and organizations broadcasting news and public interest content via YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and other digital networks.
- Enhanced Content Monitoring: Rigorous oversight targeting hate speech, disinformation, and material threatening public safety, national peace, and state sovereignty.
- Inter-Agency Enforcement: Direct collaboration with federal security and judicial bodies to track, penalize, or shut down non-compliant online operators.
The Director General warned that enforcement measures will intensify immediately as the updated regulatory framework takes shape, urging digital media creators to operate strictly within established legal boundaries.
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