Newspaper: Addis Lisan

The print media market in Ethiopia faces challenges regarding distribution and readership. With low literacy rates in rural areas and a massive shift toward social media (Telegram, Facebook) for news consumption among urban youth, traditional newspapers like Addis Lisan have had to digitize to survive.

In the annals of Ethiopian history, the printed word has often served as both a weapon of statecraft and a mirror of modernity. While the ancient stele of Axum and the royal chronicles of Gondar spoke to a select few, the advent of the newspaper in the 20th century sought to address a newly emerging public. Among the most significant of these early journalistic endeavors was Addis Lisan (Amharic: አዲስ ልሳን, "New Language" or "New Tongue"). Published from the late 1920s, Addis Lisan was more than a mere collection of news; it was a critical instrument in Emperor Haile Selassie’s broader project of centralized governance, national identity formation, and the intellectual preparation of Ethiopia for its precarious place in the 20th-century world order. This essay argues that Addis Lisan served as the official, yet intellectually vibrant, voice of the Ethiopian monarchy, navigating the tension between tradition and reform while attempting to forge a cohesive national consciousness from the country’s diverse feudal realities. addis lisan newspaper

The political transition under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed initially brought a wave of optimism and media reform. However, following the outbreak of conflict in the Tigray region and subsequent internal strife, the media environment tightened again. Internet shutdowns and the revocation of media licenses have created a climate of self-censorship. Addis Lisan has continued to operate during this period, maintaining a careful balance between reporting the news and adhering to the sensitive political climate. The print media market in Ethiopia faces challenges