Journalists Meet to Address Safety Risks in Investigative Reporting

Addis Ababa: Investigative journalists gathered this week for a workshop aimed at tackling the growing safety threats confronting their work. The event, organized by Editors’ Guild of Ethiopia (EGE) in collaboration with Consortium for the Safety of Journalists (CSoJ) and International Media Support (IMS), focused on mapping risks and identifying practical protection strategies.

Participants representing public, private, and community media shared firsthand accounts of harassment, surveillance, and legal intimidation that often accompany investigative reporting. These insights helped create a clearer picture of the dangers facing journalists who pursue sensitive stories in Ethiopia’s evolving media landscape.

Beyond highlighting risks, the workshop emphasized solutions. Attendees discussed measures ranging from personal safety practices and digital security to stronger newsroom support systems and professional solidarity. Organizers noted that such collaboration is vital for reinforcing resilience within the media sector.

“Every time we produce an investigative work, we face the risk of harassment or legal action,” said one investigative journalist who attended the workshop. “Spaces like this give us the chance to share experiences and learn how to protect ourselves while continuing to serve the public.”

EGE and its partners stressed that the workshop marks part of a wider commitment to support Ethiopian journalists through dialogue, advocacy, and training. “Building a safer media space is essential for strengthening democracy,” the Guild noted, pledging continued efforts to defend press freedom.