Ethiopia suspends The Reporter newspaper indefinitely

Ethiopian authorities indefinitely suspended the licence of independent print and online newspaper The Reporter on November 2, saying it had published content that "contradicts national interests."

The Ethiopia Media Authority said the outlet must remain fully suspended from publication and broadcasting from November 2, 2026, until it meets legal and professional ethical obligations.

The regulator accused The Reporter of repeatedly disseminating content against Ethiopia's national interests and publishing distorted information that it said harmed foreign investment, tourism and diplomacy. It also accused the outlet of carrying "unbalanced and biased" reports.

The Reporter is one of Ethiopia's few independent media outlets. It publishes newspapers in English and Amharic and operates an online news site.

The move is the latest restriction on press freedom in Ethiopia. In February, Ethiopia revoked the licence of another independent outlet, Addis Standard, which has appealed. In June, the correspondent for French daily La Croix was expelled.

Reporters Without Borders ranks Ethiopia 148th out of 180 countries in its press freedom index and says five journalists are currently detained in the country.