As Ethiopia heads toward the 7th general elections due to be held on June 1, the credibility of the process will not be judged merely by the ballots cast or the votes counted. It will be judged by whether citizens are genuinely informed, whether debate is free, and whether scrutiny is possible. That is the job of the media. And yet, Ethiopia’s media, particularly the few privately-owned outlets, remain under pressure, underfunded, and too often undermined. It is incumbent on all levels of government—federal, regional, and local—to provide the necessary support to the media. Anything less would be a betrayal of democracy and a dangerous gamble with the country’s fragile stability.
The media is not a luxury accessory to elections; it is the oxygen of democracy. Without it, citizens suffocate in ignorance, manipulated by rumor and propaganda. Ethiopia’s governments know this, but too often they behave as though the media is a nuisance to be controlled rather than a partner to be supported. That attitude must change. Federal, regional and local administrations must stop treating journalists as adversaries and start treating them as essential guardians of the public interest.
At the federal level, the responsibility is greatest. The federal government sets the tone for press freedom, and right now the tone is far too hesitant. Journalists continue to face harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary restrictions. State-owned media outlets still tilt toward the ruling party, undermining the principle of equal access. If the federal government is serious about credible elections, it must guarantee that all parties receive fair coverage, that journalists can operate without fear, and that information flows freely. Anything less will be seen—both domestically and internationally—as an attempt to rig the narrative before the ballots are even cast.
Regional and local governments are hardly blameless. Though they are closest to the people, these administrations, like federal authorities, often treat independent journalists with suspicion or outright hostility. They need to understand that their role is not to shield themselves from scrutiny but to facilitate it. If they provide private media organizations with the required support, they can build trust between citizens and the electoral process. Failinh to support these outlets or actively obstructing them only serve to not only disenfranchise millions of citizens but also fuel cynicism and disengagement. That is not democracy; it is manipulation dressed up as federalism.
The stakes could not be higher. Ethiopia is already grappling with political polarization, inter-communal tensions, and economic hardship. In such an environment, misinformation spreads like wildfire. Social media platforms amplify falsehoods and inflame divisions. Professional journalism is the only antidote. Yet instead of empowering journalists to fact-check, investigate, and report responsibly, too many officials prefer to muzzle them. This is short-sighted and reckless. Governments that fear scrutiny are governments that fear accountability. And governments that fear accountability are governments that rightly face trust deficit in overseeing free elections.
Supporting the media is not just about democracy; it is about peace. Ethiopia has seen firsthand the devastation caused by propaganda and hate speech. Words can kill, and silence can be just as deadly. As the elections approach, the risk of inflammatory rhetoric is real. Governments at all levels must work with media outlets to promote responsible reporting, discourage incitement, and foster dialogue. This requires not only legal protections but also practical support—training programs for journalists, infrastructure for broadcasting, and partnerships with civil society. To ignore this responsibility is to invite voter apathy and worse turmoil.
Some officials may grumble that supporting the media will weaken their control or expose them to criticism. Yet this is precisely the point of democracy: accountability. Governments must embrace the idea that a free and supported media strengthens governance rather than undermines it. When citizens are informed, they are more likely to participate constructively. When governments are scrutinized, they are more likely to act responsibly. Supporting the media is therefore not a concession but a test of whether Ethiopia’s leaders truly believe in democracy or merely pay lip service to it.
As Ethiopia prepares for its 7th general elections, the world is watching. The credibility of the process will depend not only on the ballots cast but also on the voices heard. The imperative is clear: without robust support for the media, Ethiopia risks conducting elections that are neither free nor fair. With such support, however, the country can demonstrate to its citizens and the world that it is committed to democracy, transparency, and peace. The responsibility lies with all levels of government, and the time to act is now. Ethiopia’s future depends not only on the ballots cast but also on the voices heard—and it is the media that ensure those voices resonate across the nation. To undermine the media is to undermine democracy itself. And that, in the eyes of history, would be unforgivable.
