The media environment in Ethiopia is dominated by state-controlled media and a polarized private and diaspora media. There were a brief period of increased press freedom and media diversity when Abiy Ahmed took office as Prime Minister in 2018, but the reform process has been halted and today the space for media and civil society is shrinking. Independent journalists are deliberated targeted by the government as well as by local militias.
What we do
Fojo has been working in Ethiopia since 2019. We have a wide sector approach, supporting independent journalism while also supporting initiatives that creates a more enabling environment for a professional, ethical and inclusive media.
We have five focus areas:
- Media Professionalism: We support selected independent media outlets and community radios to produce high-quality journalism and to find business models that safeguards their existence and independence.
- Journalism Education: We close the gap between the classroom and the newsroom by supporting initiatives that makes the journalism education more practical and up to date with the changing media landscape.
- Journalists’ safety and media freedom: We support a consortium of media organizations that monitors violations against press freedom and supports journalists in distress.
- Gender Equality: We support gender equality in and through the media, increasing gender equality in the newsroom while also increasing gender balance in content and a non-stereotypical portrayal of men and women.
- Media Inclusion: We fight disinformation, hate speech and polarization, and support media that fosters an inclusive society.
