By Susan Olalere 
In the early hours of April 17, six plainclothes Federal Police officers descended on Addis Standard’s Nairobi Street newsroom and the home of its IT manager. Armed with no visible warrant, they detained three senior staffers and carted off laptops, phones, and external drives—claiming the outlet planned a “violence‑threatening” documentary. Although the detained journalists were released later that day, the damage to confidence and data integrity is profound.
Tsedale Lemma, founder and publisher of Addis Standard, described how officers compelled staff to surrender device passwords under duress, leaving the outlet unable to guarantee the authenticity of future communications. “With our data compromised, we cannot ensure the integrity of messages or emails sent in our name,” Lemma said, highlighting the chilling effect of such tactics.
This raid amplifies a troubling trend. Ethiopia now ranks 141st out of 180 countries on the Reporters Without Borders 2024 Press Freedom Index. Between 2019 and 2024, at least 92 media workers were detained under broadly defined anti‑terrorism laws. The 2020–22 conflict in Tigray saw dozens of journalists arrested, and the fatal shooting of reporter Dawit Kebede Araya by Ethiopian troops marked the first press-related death since 1998. In recent years, the Ethiopian Media Authority has filed criminal cases against more than 25 outlets, while high-ranking officials have publicly branded critical journalists as “traitors.”
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has repeatedly framed independent reporting as an existential threat, accusing dissident voices of colluding with “enemy states” to undermine national unity. Newly appointed media regulators have echoed these warnings, calling for the arrest of journalists they deem disloyal. In this climate, the Addis Standard raid is not an isolated event but part of a systematic effort to intimidate and silence scrutiny.
Beyond the immediate affront to journalism, these actions imperil Ethiopia’s burgeoning technology sector. Fintech startups, mobile platforms, and online publishers depend on transparent information flows. When authorities seize devices without due process, they erode investor confidence, stifle innovation, and tarnish Ethiopia’s reputation as an emerging digital hub. International partners are watching. Unchecked government overreach risks isolating Ethiopia from crucial trade and development partnerships.
The path forward demands accountability. All seized equipment must be returned intact, and any legitimate charges should be adjudicated in open court. Dialogue between government leaders, civil society, and media stakeholders is essential to restore trust and affirm constitutional commitments to free expression. Ethiopia’s future as a dynamic, entrepreneurial economy hinges on the protection of its press. If the government continues to undermine independent journalism, it risks not only silencing dissent but also stifling the very innovation needed for national progress.
OpeOluwa Okudero 
Valentine Alexander
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