Ethiopian Leadership Mandates Media Alignment With National Interests to Counter Rising Digital Misinformation Threats

PM Advisor Daniel Kibret urges Ethiopian media to safeguard national interests and counter foreign misinformation at the 2026 Media for National Interest summit.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 12, 2026, 10:44 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from ENA English

Strengthening the Narrative of National Unity

A high level national conference titled "Media for National Interest" convened in Addis Ababa to address the evolving responsibilities of the Ethiopian press. During the proceedings, Muaze Tibebat Deacon Daniel Kibret, Social Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister, emphasized that the state’s current "Medemer" philosophy requires media institutions to act as safeguards for Ethiopia’s national interests. According to the Advisor, since the initiation of recent reforms, the government has focused on building a shared national narrative designed to ensure multi-national unity and protect the country’s sovereign objectives.

The Press as a Pillar of Nation Building

The Advisor characterized the press as a fundamental instrument for building a prosperous and stable state. He urged media organizations to move beyond simple reporting and work diligently toward the protection of the country and its citizens. Kibret stressed that the ultimate mission of any journalistic institution should be the dissemination of responsible and accurate information, noting that the vision of a prosperous Ethiopia is a collective responsibility rather than a localized government concern. This approach aims to align the media’s editorial direction with the broader goals of national prosperity.

Rapid Expansion of the Ethiopian Media Landscape

The scale of transformation within the sector was highlighted by Haymanot Zeleke, the Director General of the Ethiopian Media Authority. Zeleke reported that the number of media institutions operating within the country has surged by approximately 150 percent following recent policy reforms. While this growth has significantly improved public access to information, the Director General cautioned that the quantity of outlets must be matched by a corresponding increase in the quality and credibility of the reporting.