Ethiopian Journalist Abducted Amid Escalating Media Crackdown Ahead of Elections
Nairobi — Ethiopian authorities are facing mounting pressure to locate and release Million Beyene, the managing editor of Addis Standard, who was forcibly taken from his newsroom in Addis Ababa on Wednesday morning by unidentified men. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from press freedom organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which has called for immediate action to ensure Beyene’s safety.
According to Jakenn Publishing PLC, the outlet’s publisher, the men arrived in plainclothes, some wearing caps and face masks, and informed Beyene that he was “needed for questioning.” They then escorted him to an undisclosed location. Surveillance footage from April 15, shared by Addis Standard, shows at least three men moving methodically through a stairwell, described as “deliberate and organized.”
“This abduction marks a deeply troubling development for Addis Standard, a publication already under severe strain following the revocation of its registration certificate in February,” said Muthoki Mumo, CPJ’s Africa Program Coordinator. “Ethiopian authorities must act swiftly to determine Beyene’s whereabouts, secure his release, and hold those responsible accountable.”
Efforts to locate Beyene have so far hit a wall. His employer’s legal team has contacted multiple police departments and stations, including the Addis Ababa Police and Federal Police Commission, all of which denied holding him in custody. Surveillance unit officers also confirmed that the individuals involved were not recognized as members of their forces.
Federal police spokesperson Jeylan Abdi told CPJ that Beyene’s family had confirmed he was not detained by federal police. When pressed on whether an investigation was underway, Abdi redirected inquiries to the Addis Ababa police force. However, Thomas Eshete, the city police’s head of public relations, stated he had no information on the case.
Beyene’s disappearance comes amid growing tensions between Ethiopian authorities and independent media outlets as the country prepares for elections on June 1. In recent months, journalists have faced increasing restrictions, including travel bans, revoked accreditations, and license suspensions.
In February, an Agence France-Presse journalist was prevented from traveling to Tigray, and Reuters journalists lost their accreditation following an investigation. Online outlet Wazema Radio also had its operating license revoked for reporting deemed contrary to “national interest.”
Last October, the Ethiopian Media Authority suspended the licenses of all nine Deutsche Welle (DW) correspondents in the country, citing unspecified violations of media and hate speech laws. While seven journalists have since been allowed to resume work, the suspensions remain in place for those covering Tigray and Amhara regions.
Addis Standard has long been a target of government scrutiny. The outlet was raided in 2025 and banned in 2021, reflecting broader challenges to press freedom in Ethiopia.
The CPJ has urged Ethiopian authorities to prioritize the safety of journalists and uphold their commitment to press freedom. “The disappearance of Million Beyene is a stark reminder of the precarious environment journalists face in Ethiopia,” Mumo emphasized. “Ensuring his safe return is not just a matter of justice but a critical step toward safeguarding democracy.”
As the clock ticks, concerns for Beyene’s well-being continue to grow, with his case highlighting the increasingly hostile climate for independent reporting in Ethiopia ahead of the upcoming polls.
— Reported by Nexio News
