The Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) has temporarily suspended the local correspondents of Deutsche Welle (DW), the German state-funded international broadcaster, over alleged violations of national media laws and professional ethics.
In a statement on Thursday, DW confirmed that it received a letter from the EMA accusing its Ethiopia-based journalists of breaching regulations, though the Authority has not yet made the decision public.
DW said the suspension, which took effect immediately, affects nine correspondents working across cities including Addis Ababa, Mekelle, Bahir Dar, Hawassa, Dire Dawa, Dessie, and Assosa. The EMA did not specify how long the suspension will last.
The broadcaster emphasized its long-standing presence in Ethiopia since the late 1980s, saying its correspondents have provided “independent, balanced, and accurate reporting” on political, economic, and social issues.
The move comes amid growing concern from Human Rights Watch over increasing arrests of journalists and restrictions on media freedom in Ethiopia ahead of the 2026 general elections.