Media and telecoms landscape guide - Ethiopia

Radio is the main source of news and information in Ethiopia, especially in the rural areas where 80% of the population lives.
However, many people in the countryside simply rely on word of mouth, particularly what they hear at community meetings or through their local church or mosque.
Television is the most popular source of information in the main cities.
There are several newspapers, but their circulation is low and they are only available in Addis Ababa and the main towns.
Fewer than 1% of Ethiopians have access to the internet.
The media are dominated by state radio and television.
The government maintains tight control on news and information.
News reports that are critical of the government are extremely rare.
Journalists constantly practice self censorship to keep out of trouble with the authorities.
The state-run Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency (ERTA) runs Ethiopia’s only nationwide radio and TV services
Its flagship radio station, Ethiopia Radio, reaches a potential audience of 45 million people on medium wave – just over half the population - according to the Electoral Reform International Services (ERIS) Ethiopia Media Mapping Survey, www.eris.org.uk/images/userfiles/File/Ethiopia%20Media%20Mapping%202011%... published in 2011.
This report was produced by the UK-based NGO ERIS with funding from the British government.