This brief examines how the Ethiopian government restricts the production of information by targeting journalists, academics, and civil society organisations both domestically and internationally. It highlights how legal tools, including anti-terrorism legislation, hate speech laws, and amendments to media regulations, are used alongside bureaucratic barriers, harassment, and intimidation to deter independent reporting and research.

These measures contribute to shrinking spaces for press freedom and academic inquiry, particularly regarding conflicts in regions such as Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia. Journalists face arrests, exile, and restricted access to conflict zones, while academics and civil society organisations encounter increasing regulatory pressure and operational disruptions. The brief emphasises the importance of international support for independent institutions, protection for journalists and researchers, and greater transparency to safeguard freedom of expression and reliable information production.