Eyob Shimelis, an Ethiopian TikTok journalist who runs Sidama News, has been detained following his coverage of alleged corruption. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is urging Ethiopian authorities to release him immediately. Eyob has been in custody since December 1 on accusations of spreading false information and defamation.
Eyob was arrested around 10 a.m. outside his Hawassa home and taken to the Addis Ketema sub-city police station in Addis Ababa, according to two people familiar with the case who spoke to CPJ on condition of anonymity for safety reasons. They said investigators have been asking Eyob about his recent reporting on alleged abuses by regional officials.
CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Muthoki Mumo described the development as troubling, stressing that authorities should halt the use of security forces and court actions to suppress independent journalism. She called for Eyob’s immediate release.
Eyob appeared before Hawassa City First Instance Court on December 3, where the judge granted prosecutors extra time to hold him in remand until December 9, and later extended the period to December 17, according to the same sources.
Throughout 2025, Eyob has faced ongoing threats and intimidation, forcing him to go into hiding for extended periods. He reportedly fled to neighboring Kenya and Uganda for several months and returned only after receiving informal assurances that he would not be harmed.
Eyob’s earlier detention occurred on September 29 over defamation charges—historically a civil matter in Ethiopia. He was released on October 4 without a court appearance after apologizing publicly, a move he described as a request from regional leaders to seek forgiveness for his allegedly demeaning words and to continue reporting truthfully without emotional bias.
CPJ says it has reached out to Sidama police and the region’s communications affairs bureau for comment but has not received responses. An email address listed by the bureau via its Facebook page returned an error.
This report highlights the broader concern that investigative reporting on governance and corruption in Ethiopia can attract legal pressure and intimidation, underscoring the need for protections for journalists who scrutinize public power.
