Muluken Tekleyohanes Ethiopian journalist and editor-in-chief at ambassador media Ethiopia , fled the country in March 2025 after enduring a series of life-threatening warnings and targeted harassment from federal authorities. In an exclusive interview with ZENA360, Muluken revealed that his decision to leave was driven by an escalating campaign of intimidation and an intense interrogation by government security forces.
Muluken is the founder of Ambassador Media, a news outlet that has faced repeated government attacks. He has been targeted multiple times, not only for his critical reporting but also for the outlet’s affiliation with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church — a powerful religious institution with an estimated 80 million followers. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has been in conflict with the government, further straining the already tense political environment.
The journalist disclosed that he received numerous threatening text messages from Ethiopian authorities even after fleeing the country. “They warned me that if I continued to speak out or criticize the government, they would abduct my family,” he stated.
This kind of intimidation has forced many independent journalists in Ethiopia to either self-censor or seek exile abroad. While some try to continue their work in safety, the reach of government repression has extended beyond Ethiopia’s borders.
Muluken’s experience underscores a broader trend of press freedom deteriorating in Ethiopia, where state pressure and political conflict have made journalism an increasingly dangerous profession.
International Condemnation, Limited Consequences
Eighteen diplomatic missions, including those of the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, and Canada, have publicly called for the release of detained journalists and an end to media repression. The U.S. State Department described the attacks as “unprecedented,” noting that Ethiopia’s narrowing media space contradicted its democratic promises.
Yet, despite international condemnation, the Ethiopian government continues to justify its actions as necessary for national stability. Officials argue that journalists are undermining unity and spreading hate. This narrative, while rejected by press freedom advocates, has resonated with certain segments of the population, especially in the context of prolonged conflict.
A Silenced Nation
The consequences of this media crackdown extend far beyond individual journalists. Entire communities are now left in an information vacuum. Independent media, once a watchdog of government excesses and a voice for marginalized communities, has been replaced with state-controlled narratives and fear.
The Ethiopian public is increasingly cut off from the truth. Reports of civilian casualties, displacement, and abuse go unreported or are framed through the lens of propaganda. With fewer reporters on the ground, the capacity for fact-based dialogue is rapidly shrinking.
This information blackout has long-term implications for governance and peacebuilding. In the absence of transparency and accountability, corruption festers and public trust erodes. Ethiopia’s regression on press freedom is not just a media issue — it is a crisis of democracy.
The Dangerous Road Ahead
Ethiopia’s journalists continue to face a grim choice: remain silent, go underground, or flee. For those who stay, the risk of arrest, torture, or death is real. For those who leave, exile brings its own hardships: financial instability, separation from family, and the trauma of displacement.
Muluken’s story, and those of many others, serves as a stark reminder of what is at stake. As authoritarianism grows bolder, journalism becomes not just a profession but an act of resistance. Without urgent international action, the silence engulfing Ethiopia may deepen, with devastating consequences for its people and its future.
Ethiopia’s once-promising path toward openness has been derailed. The cost is being borne by brave individuals who dared to tell the truth. Now, more than ever, the world must listen.
