The Ethiopian Media Authority has announced that it is preparing amendments to the Media Proclamation to bring unregistered digital media operators under a formal registration, monitoring and accountability framework.
The Authority said it is carrying out its regulatory responsibilities under Media Proclamation No. 1238/2021, including monitoring content published by media outlets and assessing compliance with Ethiopian law and professional journalism standards.
According to the statement, the Authority currently identifies and ranks media institutions based on their level of compliance with legal and ethical requirements. It also works with relevant justice and law-enforcement bodies when media organizations are suspected of committing legal or professional violations.
The Authority noted that the existing Media Proclamation provides for voluntary, rather than mandatory, registration of online and digital media. As a result, many individuals and organizations providing media services through platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and YouTube operate without registration certificates from the Authority.
To address this gap, the Authority said it is drafting amendments to the Proclamation and developing procedures intended to include unregistered digital media outlets within its monitoring, support and accountability system.
The Authority also said it would increase its attention to content that may affect public safety, national peace, sovereignty, national interests, human dignity, coexistence and diversity. Monitoring will be based on the Authority’s internal review process as well as complaints and information received from the public.
It called on digital media operators to exercise freedom of expression responsibly and in accordance with the law, noting that effective regulation of digital media requires cooperation among media actors, government institutions and the public.
The Authority said it will continue providing training and organizing dialogue forums for media professionals. It will also take administrative measures against media institutions that violate legal and professional standards.
Source: Ethiopian Media Authority
