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Haymanot Zeleke takes helm of media authority
Ethiopia’s House of Peoples’ Representatives has approved Haymanot Zeleke as Director General of the Ethiopian Media Authority, confirming new leadership at the country’s media regulator.
The approval came during the House’s eighth regular session of its fifth working year, held on Tuesday. Lawmakers reviewed a nomination submitted by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in a letter dated January 1, 2026. Following deliberations, the House unanimously endorsed the appointment.
Haymanot brings a background in government communication and public media institutions. Most recently, she led the communication sector at the Addis Abeba City Administration Manager’s Office, serving at the level of deputy bureau head. She has also worked as a director at the Government Communication Service and previously held roles at the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation and the Ethiopian News Agency.
The House did not disclose the reasons for the removal of Samson Mekonnen, who was appointed Director General of the authority last year.
Before joining the Ethiopian Media Authority, Samson Mekonnen was an academic at Addis Ababa University, where he served as a lecturer and held senior roles including Vice President for Communications and International Relations and Assistant Professor of Marketing and Communications.
The Ethiopian Media Authority is responsible for regulating broadcast and digital media, issuing licenses, and overseeing professional standards in the sector. The leadership change comes at a time when media regulation and press freedom remain under close public and political scrutiny in the country.
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