The Reporter Ethiopia, owned by Amare Aragawi Media and Communications Center, stands as one of the top newspapers in Ethiopia. Also known as The Ethiopian Reporter (Amharic: ሪፖርተር), it is a private newspaper published in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
It appears in both English and Amharic, and is owned by the Media Communications Centre. The editor in chief and founder of the newspaper is Amare Aragawi.
History and Key Figures
Founded in 1995, The Reporter has been a consistent source of news and information for the Ethiopian public. The editor in chief and founder of the newspaper is Amare Aragawi.
Arrest of Amare Aregawi
In 2008, the editor of the Reporter, Amare Aregawi, was jailed in Gondar. Specifically, police arrested Aregawi on August 22nd, 2008, after a defamation lawsuit was filed against the newspaper by the brewery in a Gondar court.
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Details of the Arrest
Amare Aregawi's arrest was in connection with an article that criticized Dashen Brewery’s, a local beer brand, labor practices.
A.R. - A Historical Precedent
A.R. was a weekly magazine in English published by the Ethiopian Patriotic Association in Addis Ababa.
The maiden issue of January 3, 1969, stated in its editorial that the magazine was “the first of its kind in Ethiopia”. The subscription rates were 16 bérr per year, nine bérr for six months. Its first editor was Baalu Gérma.
Yaéqob Walda Maryam took over the editorship, starting with 11 April 1969 issue (i.e. vol. 1, no. 15). Beginning with the December 1969 issue A.R. became a monthly magazine. The July 1970 issue of the magazine is the last number.
The magazine may now be consulted at the Institute of Ethiopian Studies and at the Press Library of the Ministry of Information and Culture. A.R. is one of the most essential sources for the study of the intellectual history of the period coinciding with its own history.
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Content and Focus of A.R. Magazine
The various columns deal with vital issues in politics, economics, culture, current events and history. The column “30 Days” presented, in almost every issue, the activities of the Emperor in the Addisge 93 past 30 days.
“Addis this Week” highlighted the week’s events (lectures, Radio and TV highlights, exhibitions, musical concerts etc.) in Addis Ababa. “(The) View from Arat Kilo” offered criticism and commentary on current local and international issues.
Gadamu Abraha was the author of sharp and often witty remarks on various topics, appearing in “From the Cutting Room Floor …”.
Social problems, such as broken homes, crime, muggers, bribery, open-air vendors, drugs, the plight of pensioners, street boys, dangerous driving, housing, public toilets, prices, living conditions, earnings etc. were regularly discussed.
Profiles of prominent people of various professions (professors, writers, businessmen, waiters and so on) appear, focusing on the exemplary value of the person’s story.
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Culture (films, literature, plays, art, translation, music, poetry and ceramics) was also a significant focus.
Notable Contributors to A.R. Magazine
Among other notable contributors to the cultural pages of A.R. were Òayla Maryam Goššu, Warqafarrahu Kabbada, Richard Pankhurst, Mary Dyson, Sheila Ross, Innes Marshall and Sébhat Gabra Égziýabéher.
Nothing that approaches its quality and frequency of appearance has appeared since it ceased publication in 1970.
The Reporter: A Modern Newspaper
The Reporter is a weekly newspaper with a tabloid format. It operates under the principles of "Free Press, Free Speech, Free Spirit".
Key Personnel
- Editor-in-chief: Ashenafi Endale
- General manager: Amare Aregawi
Languages
The newspaper is published in both English and Amharic.
The Reporter continues to be a vital source of information and analysis in Ethiopia, navigating the complexities of the media landscape while upholding its commitment to journalistic integrity.
