DW Akademie in Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s media sector is facing significant structural, legal and political challenges. Although reforms launched in 2018 initially led to a supportive environment, the situation has largely deteriorated – especially since the end of the two-year Tigray conflict that began in 2020. Reporters Without Borders’ 2026 World Press Freedom Index ranks Ethiopia at position 148, down 38 positions from 2019. While the 2021 Media Proclamation (No. 1238) introduced important reforms, including the decriminalization of defamation and encouragement of self-regulation, the country's parliament passed controversial amendments in April 2025 that strengthen government control over the Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA).
Our activities
DW Akademie is involved in the African Media Integrity & Resilience Programme, led by International Media Support, a non-governmental organization, and being implemented in Ethiopia, the Central African Republic and Ghana. Together with Omnimedia, DW Akademie offers a comprehensive several-month fellowship program for media organizations located in Addis Ababa.
The fellowship includes hands-on journalism training and mentoring as well as organizational development and management coaching. Selected participants also intern in Bonn with DW’s Amharic editorial office and join study trips to major media events such as the Africa Media Festival in Nairobi and DW’s Global Media Forum in Bonn. Participating organizations also receive a grant. The overall goal is to support journalists and media managers in developing stronger skills and improving their organization’s long-term viability.
Funding: European Union (EU)
Program Director: Nina Otte-Witte
Location: Addis Ababa
Local partner: Omnimedia
