Addis Ababa, May 7, 2026 (FMC) – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Ethiopia’s ongoing media reforms have created an important foundation for nation-building, while calling on media institutions to strengthen balanced reporting, uphold professional responsibility, and promote narratives that reinforce national cohesion.
The Prime Minister made the remarks during the national consultative forum titled “Media Progress for Narrative Building,” which officially opened today in his presence.
The forum reviewed progress registered in the country’s media sector and institutional reform efforts over recent years.
In a social media message shared following the event, Prime Minister Abiy noted that reforms implemented over the past eight years have significantly transformed Ethiopia’s media landscape within a democratic framework, describing the progress as part of a broader effort to build a stronger foundation for national development.
At the same time, he stressed that sustaining these gains requires media institutions to move away from polarization and extremist narratives, and instead prioritize truth-based reporting that strengthens shared identity, mutual understanding, and national consensus.
“The media must build narratives rooted in truth that strengthen unity and national understanding,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
PM Abiy also urged media institutions to move beyond sensational and headline-focused coverage by investing more in in-depth journalism supported by research and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
He further stressed that media engagement should be guided by clear purpose, vision, and professional standards, noting that institutions must remain accessible to the public while maintaining balance, credibility, and responsibility.
According to the Prime Minister, effective media institutions should not only serve as sources of information for citizens, but also contribute to problem-solving efforts and support Ethiopia’s broader development and prosperity agenda.
The consultative forum brought together senior media leaders and stakeholders to assess progress achieved in the country’s evolving media sector and deliberate on future priorities within the ongoing reform process.