Ethiopia

The media environment in Ethiopia is dominated by state-controlled media and a polarised private media. There was 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 the media and civil society is shrinking. Independent journalists are deliberately targeted by the government as well as by non-state actors.

What we do

Fojo has been working in Ethiopia since 2019. We have a broad-sector approach, supporting independent journalism while also supporting initiatives that create a more enabling environment for professional, ethical, and inclusive media.

We have five focus areas:

1. Media professionalism: We support selected independent media outlets and community radios to produce high-quality journalism and to find business models that safeguard their independence.
2. Journalism education: We close the gap between the classroom and the newsroom by supporting initiatives that make journalism education more practical and up to date with the changing media landscape.
3. Journalists’ safety and media freedom: We support a consortium of media organisations that monitors violations against press freedom and supports journalists in distress.
4. Gender equality: We support gender equality in and through the media, ensuring safe working conditions for women as well as increasing gender balance in content and non-stereotypical portrayal of men and women.
5. Media inclusion: We fight hate speech, mis- and disinformation, and support media that fosters an inclusive society.