Ethiopian Media Authority: Ethiopia Renews Reuters Journalist Licenses

• The Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) has renewed the reporting licenses for three Reuters journalists in Ethiopia, ending a six-month suspension.
• The suspension followed the government's earlier decision not to renew their accreditation and withdrawal of Reuters' access to the African Union Summit.
• EMA alleged that Reuters' reports violated Ethiopian laws, the Media Proclamation, and national interests, citing issues with balance, accuracy, and objectivity.
• Reuters officials reportedly apologized for "occasional errors" and committed to making "necessary corrections and adjustments" within their organization.
• The resolution involved Reuters affirming respect for Ethiopian laws, national interests, and professional ethics for its journalists operating in the country.

This incident underscores the critical importance for media organizations and their legal counsel operating in Ethiopia to meticulously understand and comply with the Media Proclamation and the Ethiopian Media Authority's interpretation of 'national interests' and journalistic ethics to prevent accreditation suspensions.

The Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) has reinstated the reporting credentials for three Reuters journalists operating within Ethiopia, effectively concluding a six-month suspension period. This decision follows a series of high-level discussions between EMA Director General Haymanot Zeleke and Reuters' Executive Editor Nick Tattersall, alongside Africa Editor Silvia Aloisi, aimed at resolving an accreditation dispute that began earlier this year.

The renewal reverses a restriction that had been in place since February 13, when the Ethiopian government initially declined to extend the accreditation for these three Addis Ababa-based journalists. At that time, Reuters' ability to cover the 39th African Union Summit was also withdrawn, a move confirmed by a Reuters spokesperson to Addis Standard, who noted the agency was reviewing the situation.

During the discussions, the EMA presented its media monitoring findings, expressing significant concerns regarding Reuters' reporting on Ethiopia over the preceding seven months. According to the Authority's statement, these reports were deemed to have "violated the country's laws, the Media Proclamation, and national interests," and were criticized for failing to adhere to professional journalistic ethics.

EMA specifically alleged that certain Reuters reports exhibited deficiencies in "balance, accuracy, credibility, and objectivity," characterizing them as one-sided. Director General Haymanot Zeleke communicated to Reuters officials that these identified shortcomings constituted clear violations of Ethiopia's media laws, including the Media Proclamation, and fundamental professional journalistic ethics.

In response to the EMA's concerns, Reuters officials, while asserting their organization's independence and adherence to stringent editorial guidelines designed to ensure balanced, well-sourced, and unbiased reporting, reportedly reached an understanding with the Authority. As part of this agreement, Reuters committed to implementing "the necessary corrections and adjustments" within its news organization.

The EMA further stated that Reuters representatives conveyed "deep respect for Ethiopia," acknowledging the nation's substantial population and economic significance as factors warranting extensive international media coverage. They also reportedly "apologized" for what the EMA described as "occasional errors" and provided assurances that corrective measures would be undertaken. Reuters affirmed its commitment to operating in compliance with Ethiopian laws and to comprehensively covering the country's political, economic, and cultural landscape, pledging that its journalists in Ethiopia would uphold professional ethics, understand Ethiopia's "national interests," and respect the country's position.

This incident underscores the critical importance for media organizations and their legal counsel operating in Ethiopia to meticulously understand and comply with the Media Proclamation (as amended in 2025) and the Ethiopian Media Authority's interpretation of 'national interests' and journalistic ethics to prevent accreditation suspensions. The EMA's decision to renew the journalist licenses for Reuters' permanently accredited staff, which had been temporarily suspended due to what the Authority cited as legal and professional ethical violations, highlights the regulatory power wielded by the EMA.

The resolution emphasizes the need for proactive engagement with regulators and internal adjustments to reporting practices to ensure continued operation within the Ethiopian media landscape. Following the renewal of the journalist licenses, the EMA has called upon relevant institutions to acknowledge these reinstated credentials and provide the Reuters journalists with the necessary cooperation, signaling a return to normal operational status for the news agency within the country.

This incident underscores the critical importance for media organizations and their legal counsel operating in Ethiopia to meticulously understand and comply with the Media Proclamation and the Ethiopian Media Authority's interpretation of 'national interests' and journalistic ethics to prevent accreditation suspensions. It highlights the need for proactive engagement with regulators and internal adjustments to reporting practices to ensure continued operation.

Source: Original reporting via Addis Standard