Media Authority rejects journalist professional credential IDs, recognition initiative by Media Council

Officials of the Ethiopian Media Council defended the proposed guideline during a workshop held on 18 March this year. Photo: Screengrab  

Addis Abeba – The Ethiopian Media Authority has rejected efforts and distanced itself from recent moves by the Ethiopian Media Council (EMC) to issue professional registration, recognition, unified professional identity cards, and certificate of competence for journalists working in Ethiopia, stating that such actions are beyond the Council’s legal mandate.

In a statement released this afternoon, the Authority said that following the Council’s initiation of discussions and activities around issuing professional credential IDs to and recognition of journalists, “a number of media organizations, individual journalists, and professional associations are raising questions of legality and concerns.”

The Authority emphasized that, under Proclamation No. 1238/2021, the Ethiopian Media Council is “not given legal mandate” to carry out these functions. As such, any related activities by the Council will not be “recognized by the Authority.”

The Authority’s statement today follows a recent initiative by the Ethiopian Media Council to develop and implement Ethiopia’s first-ever system to issues professional digital identity cards, and implement recognition of media professionals.

In a recent message addressed to media stakeholders and journalists, the Council invited public feedback on the draft guideline aimed at establishing a consistent and credible accreditation framework.

“It is crucial that this process is transparent, fair, and sustainable,” the statement noted, urging participation from media institutions, independent journalists, legal professionals, and the general public.

According to the Council, the proposed system – prepared by a team of journalists, legal experts, and media researchers – is designed to protect the profession, enhance journalistic ethics, and promote mutual accountability within the media industry. The Council emphasized that this milestone represents the first time in Ethiopia’s history that journalists and media professionals are being formally registered.

The Council further argues that establishing a structured accreditation system is essential to ensure that journalists meet ethical and professional standards, while also measuring core competencies and verifying professional fitness. Such a system, the Council asserts, will “promote responsible journalism, protect press freedom, and strengthen media institutions by formally recognizing qualified professionals.”  Additionally, it will enable targeted capacity-building efforts by identifying skill gaps, increase public trust by helping to prevent misinformation, and align Ethiopia’s media practices with international standards and best practices.

“This initiative is not only about creating a unified professional identity, but also about ensuring the integrity, professionalism, and accountability of journalism in Ethiopia.”

However, during a workshop held on 18 March involving media stakeholders, questions and concerns were raised by media professionals, including the question of whether the Council has the legal mandates to implement the proposed system, or whether carrying such validation digital accreditations were enough to protect journalists from increasing attacks. AS

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