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More than financial support
Ethiopia’s media market has long struggled to support independent journalism, Ashine said. While state-owned media benefit from government funding, private outlets rely heavily on advertising and audience revenue, both of which remain limited in the country.
“Many advertisers avoid independent media, especially critical outlets [of the government],” he said. “The revenue simply isn’t enough to sustain independent journalism.”
International support filled that gap by supporting capacity-building initiatives and specialized reporting projects, along with funding technology and operational support.
The impact extended beyond direct funding. Donor-supported programs helped strengthen media institutions, improve reporting standards, and expand access to public-interest information, Simesso said.
For example, since OMNI Ethiopia was established in 2021, the organization has implemented nine projects in partnership with USAID. These projects focused on areas such as community media development, peacebuilding, civic engagement, combating misinformation, public-interest journalism, and strengthening local media organizations.
U.S. funding also helped small newsrooms grow in scale. While Wazema Radio initially relied on volunteer support and self-funding, as the organization grew, international support became increasingly important. Funding from U.S.-based donors at times accounted for nearly half of the outlet’s annual revenue, Ashine said.
Today, programs that once supported community radio stations, regional broadcasters, and reporting initiatives focused on women, gender-based violence, and underserved communities have been reduced or discontinued across Ethiopia. Training opportunities for journalists have also diminished significantly.
“For independent media, especially smaller outlets and community broadcasters, the consequences include reduced production, fewer opportunities for journalists, and weaker regional reporting,” Simesso said.
The effects extend far beyond individual organizations, with communities that rely on local-language media particularly affected.
“If fewer resources are available for credible journalism and local-language information, communities may have fewer reliable sources to turn to,” Simesso said.
Adaptation and survival
Independent Ethiopian media outlets say that USAID cuts have made diversifying revenue sources a matter not just of sustainability, but survival.
To offset losses, Wazema Radio has pursued support from donors in Europe, explored alternative nongovernmental funding, and supplemented its budget through shareholder contributions.
“We never rely on a single funding source,” Ashine said.
But many remaining support mechanisms are short-term and uncertain, making long-term planning difficult. While alternative revenue streams have helped keep Wazema Radio afloat, Ashine said they have not fully compensated for the loss of U.S.-backed funding. Meanwhile, severe budget constraints have coincided with political pressures — such as the Ethiopian government’s pattern of suspending independent outlets’ licenses to work in the country — to create enormous sustainability challenges.
As a result of losing its own license, Wazema Radio ultimately was forced to lay off more than half of its workforce and ceased operating inside Ethiopia.
In response, Ethiopian independent media are turning to new business models, including a greater reliance on audience contributions, memberships, subscriptions, advertising, and diaspora fundraising. Of these, audience-supported fundraising represents the most promising long-term alternative to donor funding, Ashine said.
“The best model is fundraising built around a strong and independent media outlet,” Ashine said. “People should be willing to support journalism because they respect the quality of the journalism.”
Translating that trust into sustainable revenue remains difficult. Political divisions in Ethiopia often lead audiences to support media outlets that align with their views, making it challenging for politically independent organizations to build a broad financial base.
“If you remain truly independent, you may find yourself belonging to no political camp,” Ashine said. “And if you belong to no one, you may struggle to find support.”
Ashine also remains skeptical about relying on social media revenue as a reliable funding alternative, given the limited and inconsistent income that can be expected to be generated from it.
The future of independent journalism
Despite shrinking resources, Simesso and Ashine said that independent journalism can survive if media organizations remain focused on producing valuable, trustworthy reporting.
“Quality journalism remains the most sustainable model,” Ashine said. “People support media they trust.”
Rather than chasing clicks, sensationalism, or political loyalties, he argued that media organizations must create content audiences genuinely value and are willing to support.
For Simesso, the funding crisis represents an opportunity to rethink how independent journalism is financed in Ethiopia. Adaptations to funding cuts can help build a more resilient media ecosystem defined by stronger local ownership and diversified revenue streams, he said.
“The post-U.S. funding era presents both a serious challenge and an opportunity,” Simesso said. “We need to own our problems and find local solutions.”
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