Media Urged to Ensure Fair Coverage Ahead of Ethiopia’s 7th General Election: Scholars

Addis Ababa, March 28, 2026 (ENA) —Scholars and media professionals have called on media institutions to play a decisive role in Ethiopia’s upcoming general election by ensuring balanced and equal access for all competing political parties.

Experts approached by the ENA stressed that fair media coverage is essential to enable political parties to present their programs and visions to the public without bias.

The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has been intensifying preparations for the country’s 7th general election, scheduled for June 1, 2026.

Several political parties have already registered candidates, while the Board has unveiled party symbols and launched training programs for election officials.

Voter registration is also ongoing through both digital and manual systems.

Professor Brook Hailu, a distinguished scholar, diplomat, and media analyst, told ENA that media institutions have an irreplaceable role in ensuring elections are conducted in a peaceful, democratic, and credible manner.

“The election will strengthen democratic practice, and the media has a significant responsibility in this process,” he said.

He noted that media outlets should create platforms that allow political parties to present their social, economic, and political agendas so that voters can make informed decisions.

Journalist Tibebu Belete on his part emphasized the need for media houses to strengthen the capacity of their reporters through specialized training in election coverage.

“Building the capacity of media professionals is crucial for accurate and responsible election reporting,” he said, adding that journalists must be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills.

Tibebu also underscored that election coverage should align with institutional editorial policies while maintaining professional standards.

For his part, Anteneh Getachew, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the importance of legal awareness among journalists.

“Journalists should be well informed about electoral laws, proclamations, and amendments,” he said. “They must clearly understand the roles and responsibilities of the Election Board, voters, political parties, and civic organizations.”

He further stressed that media professionals need a solid grasp of national policies, including the constitution, to ensure accurate and responsible reporting during the electoral process.