PM Abiy Calls for Balanced Journalism Anchored in Truth, Rule of Law and Professional Responsibility

Addis Ababa, May 9, 2026 (FMC) – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has called on media institutions in Ethiopia to strengthen balanced, professional, and truth-based journalism grounded in the rule of law, saying the country’s ongoing reforms have created a stronger institutional foundation for a responsible media landscape.

The Prime Minister made the remarks during the national consultative forum titled “Media Progress for Narrative Building,” held in Addis Ababa in his presence, where media leaders and stakeholders reviewed progress in Ethiopia’s media sector reform process.

Prime Minister Abiy emphasized that media institutions are expected to operate in harmony with both freedom of expression and the rule of law, noting that sustainable media development depends on responsibility, professionalism, and the ability to build national consensus.

He stressed that the media should serve as truth-tellers and consensus-builders, guided by dialogue, national priorities, and constructive engagement with public issues.

The Prime Minister recalled key reform measures undertaken since 2018, including the release of journalists previously imprisoned for their professional work, the reopening of previously closed media outlets, and broader legal and institutional reforms aimed at strengthening media freedom and pluralism.

He also noted that restrictive legal frameworks, including provisions previously limiting expression, were revised as part of the reform process to expand the media space.

While acknowledging these achievements, he said the expansion of media freedom has also introduced challenges in managing that freedom responsibly, with some media actors struggling to adapt to the open environment.

Prime Minister Abiy stressed that media institutions must move beyond sensational and headline-driven coverage, urging greater investment in in-depth, research-based journalism supported by emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

He further emphasized that journalists must understand how to align professional practice with legal frameworks, underscoring that freedom and responsibility must operate together.

According to the Prime Minister, media institutions should not only inform the public but also contribute to problem-solving, national dialogue, and Ethiopia’s broader development and prosperity agenda.

He added that Ethiopian media should reflect the realities of a developing country and align its work with national priorities, while the government continues to support the sector to strengthen its institutional sustainability and effectiveness.