The international press rights group CPJ; The Ethiopian government has criticized the move against Addis Standard, saying it is “silencing” the media by using vague terms such as “national interest” and “media ethics.”

CPJ Africa Director Angela Quintal called the move by the Media Authority “retaliatory rather than regulatory.”

The international press rights group said this in a statement issued on Tuesday, February 17, following the revocation of Addis Standard’s online media license.

The Media Authority said that Addis Standard “repeatedly disseminates reports that threaten the national interest of the country and the public.” It also accused the media outlet of violating “media ethics” and “Ethiopian laws.”

The authority, which described Addis Standard's reports as "dangerous acts," said the media outlet "has refused to correct itself despite repeated warnings and warnings to refrain from its destructive behavior."

It also noted that it had issued "repeated reminders and warnings to the media sector to act in accordance with professional ethics and the national interest of the country and the people." "Therefore, Addis Standard's online media registration certificate has been revoked effective today in accordance with the Media Proclamation," it announced.

The CPJ, a press rights group, has condemned the decision, saying that “the revocation of Addis Standard’s license is part of a deliberate campaign to stifle critical reporting in Ethiopia.” CPJ’s Africa director, Angela, strongly condemned the authority’s move, saying, “This is retaliation, not regulation.”

The Ethiopian Media Authority is using “vague provisions such as ‘national interest’ and ‘media ethics’ as tools,” the director said, adding that these provisions are “silencing independent journalism.”