Abay TV Warned Over Media Law, Journalistic Ethics Violations

By Mintesinot Nigussie  |  September 2, 2026

The Ethiopian Media Authority has warned Abay TV over breaches of media law and journalistic ethics identified in news reports, programmes and advertisements broadcast by the station, prompting the broadcaster’s management to acknowledge the violations and commit to corrective measures.

The warning followed a three-month content monitoring exercise covering programmes and broadcasts aired between June and August, according to the Authority. Officials from the regulator and Abay TV discussed the findings and agreed on the need for immediate corrective action.

Among the issues identified were the use of offensive language and expressions considered inconsistent with social values and culture, content deemed to have a negative influence on young people, and programmes containing material that the Authority said undermined the dignity of women.

The regulator also raised concerns over the use of unverified sources in news reports, urging the station to strengthen its editorial processes and ensure that its reporting complies with Ethiopia’s media laws and journalistic code of ethics.

Haymanot Zeleke, director-general of the Ethiopian Media Authority, said Abay TV had developed as a commercial broadcaster producing educational and entertainment content, including programmes supported by digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

However, she said the violations identified through the Authority’s monitoring could not be accepted and required prompt correction.

The Authority urged the broadcaster to align its editorial policy with national laws, the media proclamation and professional journalistic standards, particularly in the selection and verification of news sources and the production of programmes with potential social impacts.

Abay TV officials said most of the issues raised through the monitoring process had already been reviewed internally by the station’s editorial team. They said the management had agreed to take corrective measures and would treat the Authority’s observations positively.

The station’s management also said it would implement the recommended corrections and work to strengthen Abay TV as a platform for content and experiences that contribute positively to the country.

Source: FSX Business News