Security forces in Ethiopia have detained prominent journalist Tesfalem Woldeyes, founder and editor-in-chief of Ethiopia Insider, in Addis Ababa on Sunday, June 8, 2025, despite a court-ordered release on bail issued on Tuesday, June 10. Tesfalem was accused of “spreading false information,” and although a bail bond of 15,000 birr was posted, police reportedly blocked his release, Addis Standard reported.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the continued detention, stating it “underscores the Ethiopian government’s disregard for judicial processes.” CPJ also recalled its prior call for a thorough investigation into a July 2023 burglary at Ethiopia Insider’s premises, in which cameras and production equipment were stolen in what now appears to be a coordinated effort to intimidate the newsroom and other independent media.
Amnesty International’s East Africa office condemned the arbitrary arrest and detention of Tesfalem Woldeyes and asked the Ethiopian authorities to ”immediately and unconditionally release” him. The human rights organisation expressed its frustration over the increase in authoritarian practices in Ethiopia.
The continued targeting of journalists and newsrooms under broad allegations of “false reporting” reflects a widening crackdown on independent media in Ethiopia, raising serious concerns among press freedom advocates.
The increasingly displayed repressive practices against journalists and media institutions are not limited only to the federal government; regional state authorities are also arbitrarily arresting and intimidating journalists, as happened last week, in the Tigray region, TBS’s media crew was arbitrarily arrested for days in the city of Aksum.