Terms of Reference (ToR) To Conduct a Comprehensive Assessment of Media Systems, the State of Public Access to Information, Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists in Ethiopia

Background Information

International Media Support (IMS) works in more than 30 countries across four continents, promoting press freedom, good journalism and the safety of journalists. In order to strengthen African media ecosystems, IMS launched the African Media Integrity and Resilience Programme (AMIRP) in Ethiopia, Ghana, Central African Republic, aiming to enhance the capacities, structures, and networks of independent media so they can act as genuine providers of fact-based, reliable information and form a key barrier against information manipulation. The programme is funded by the European Union with the objective to support public interest media actors in these three African countries to effectively counter disinformation and promote a conducive environment for media independent and press freedom, strengthening the safety of journalists and support democratic governance by strengthening the skills of journalists and content producers, as well as support the editorial, managerial and business viability capacities of public interest media outlets.

As part of the AMIRP programme, the IMS Ethiopia office plans to conduct a Comprehensive Assessment of Media Systems, the State of Public Access to Information, Freedom of Expression, and Safety of Journalists in Ethiopia. This assessment aims at generating evidence to inform advocacy and policy dialogue. Findings will also be disseminated through consultative and validation stakeholder workshops to promote informed engagement and consensus-building, which equips targeted partners with the knowledge and tools to engage and collaborate effectively with government and other key actors, advocating for diverse issues, including the enactment of Access to Information (ATI) law, addressing the current legal gap and promoting transparency and accountability.

All policy dialogue and advocacy emerging from this assessment will be evidence-based, non-partisan, and conducted in line with the principles of civil society engagement and the programme’s contractual obligations to the European Union.

As the AMIRP programme commences, IMS is commissioning a consultant to coordinate, design, and lead the comprehensive assessment of Media Systems, the State of Public Access to Information, Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists, as well as the organisations and documentation of at least four consultative and validation stakeholder workshops.

Assessment Purpose and Objectives

The overall objective of the assessment is to gather detailed data on how Ethiopia’s media systems function, encompassing both traditional media and digital platforms. It also examines the state of public access to information, freedom of expression and the safety of journalists to generate evidence that informs advocacy and policy dialogue. Specific objectives of the assessment include:

1. Examine the state of Ethiopia’s media and information ecosystems
2. Gather and document evidence on media regulatory frameworks, ownership structure, professional norms,
3. Assess how information is produced, disseminated and consumed
4. Examine the state of public access to information and derive approaches to advancing the public right to know
5. Assess key contextual (political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental challenges) that influence the exercise of freedom of expression and the safety of journalists.

The findings will help generate evidence to inform advocacy and policy dialogue; hence, the consultant is expected to facilitate at least four validation workshops for each assessment sub-component.

IMS and its partners will use assessment recommendations to also inform activity design, operational implementation and risk management. Assessment results will be used to inform a review and potential reconfiguration of the AMIRP programme’s intervention activities to be implemented by IMS.

Assessment Areas and Population

This will be a national assessment with a special focus on conflict-affected regions of Ethiopia, particularly Amhara, Tigray, South Ethiopia, and Oromia.

Given the conflict-affected focus, the assessment will be designed and implemented in line with EU Conflict Sensitivity programming, IMS Duty of Care principles and a “Do No Harm” approach, including informed consent and risk mitigation for participants and researchers.

Assessment Methodology, Approach and Tools

The consultant is expected to employ a human-centred mixed method assessment methodology that combines qualitative and quantitative data to thoroughly understand citizens’ experiences, needs and behaviours in relation to producing, sharing, and consuming media content, the exercise of freedom of expression and access to information. Therefore, the consultant is expected to conduct key informant interviews, focus group discussions, surveys and desk reviews. A detailed assessment methodological approach is to be agreed upon in a discussion with IMS.

Ethics, safeguarding, and confidentiality must be embedded across all tools (KIIs, FGDs, surveys), including procedures for informed consent, safe referrals where needed, and secure handling of sensitive information relating to journalists and conflict contexts.

Analysis and synthesis

The assessment must convey findings specific to each component (i.e., Media Systems, the State of Public Access to Information, Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists) and overall political, social, legal, economic, technological, and environmental dynamics that may influence the media and information ecosystems across the country.

Scope of the Assessment and the Consultancy Works

In order to achieve the assessment objectives, the consultant shall perform the following tasks and activities:

• Prepare an inception report with a detailed methodology for the assessment, including clear timelines and milestones to complete the assignment within 45 days. The methodology should incorporate specific adaptations to conflicts and political changes, as well as analysis methods, gaps, and opportunities for data and information collection, in accordance with the checklist outlined in the Assessment Methodology, Approach, and Tools section of this TOR.
• Conduct a state-of-the-art analysis of the media sector encompassing access to information, freedom of expression and the safety of journalists, focusing on:
• A review and analysis of existing legislative, policy and regulatory frameworks, gaps and opportunities for long-term advocacy and development with special attention to the ongoing amendment of the Access to Information Proclamation.
• A review and analysis of political, economic and technological contexts that influence the exercise of freedom of expression and the safety of journalists.
• Analysis of the state of Ethiopia’s media and information ecosystems with special emphasis on:
• Institutional policies and systems related to editorial independence, media integrity, transparency, and responsiveness to changing political and economic contexts in the country.
• Gender equality, gender mainstreaming and gender-balanced programming, as well as the inclusion of people with disabilities and minority groups to promote and protect their rights to freedom of expression and access to information.
• Advocacy and intervention areas as related to promoting and protecting access to information, freedom of expression and safety of journalists.
• Convene at least four workshop meetings to present and validate findings and recommendations of the assessment report.
• Prepare four policy briefs, detailing advocacy and engagement strategies based on the assessment findings, workshop meetings and analysis, with a clear approach to engage diverse media sector actors in promoting and protecting the right to access to information, freedom of expression and the safety of journalists.

Key deliverables and overall tasks

Outputs and Deliverables	Number of days	Deadlines
1. Concept Note: with a clear assessment methodology and detailed work plan	3	20 March 2026
2. National Assessment Report: data collection from regions, analysis, and report writing on the state of safety of journalists in Ethiopia	25 days	First draft 15 May 2026 Final report 15 June 2026
3. Validation and consultation workshops (minimum four sessions: national and regional), to present, test, and validate initial findings and recommendations	8 days	To be conducted within the consultancy period and no later than 15 June 2026
4. Four policy briefs: with evidence-based analysis and a clear approach to engage diverse media sector actors in promoting and protecting the right to ATI, FoE and SoJ	5 days	First draft by 05 June 2026; Final briefs by 15 June 2026
5. Documentation (proceedings) of validation and consultation workshops	4 days	By 15 June 2026
Total Days	45

Timeframe: The assessment should be conducted within 45 working days (including writing the report and presenting the findings in at least four workshop meetings to different audiences), starting from the date of the contract signing within three months. The consultancy, including all deliverables listed in this TOR, must be completed within 45 working days and no later than 15 June 2026 unless extended in writing by IMS.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience Required

• Educational Background: Advanced degree in Journalism, Media Studies, Human Rights, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Experience: At least ten years of experience in media development, human rights advocacy, or a related field, with a proven track record in developing methodologies and tools for monitoring and evaluation, particularly in the context of media and journalist safety, and demonstrated experience in conducting national assessments or large‑scale research projects, preferably in Ethiopia or similar contexts, including strong familiarity with safety protocols, risk assessment, and protective measures.
• Technical Skills: Proven proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, strong data analysis skills (including the use of statistical software and data visualisation tools), and demonstrated ability to design and implement surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Amharic (or other relevant local languages), with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including journalists, media organisations, government officials, and civil society organisations, and to present complex information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.
• Organisational and Management Skills: Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines, coordinate and lead multi‑stakeholder consultations and workshops, and work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.
• Knowledge and Understanding: Excellent understanding of the media landscape in Ethiopia, including the legal, political, and social challenges faced by media actors and journalists, familiarity with international standards and frameworks on access to information, freedom of expression, and the safety of journalists, and knowledge of digital security and online harassment issues affecting journalists.
• Ethical and Cultural Sensitivity: High ethical standards and a demonstrated commitment to protecting the rights and safety of journalists, cultural sensitivity, and proven experience in applying research ethics, safeguarding principles, and secure data management practices for sensitive research conducted in high‑risk environments.

Staffing and Inputs

• The consultant will report to IMS Ethiopia through an assigned focal point, and deliverables will be reviewed and approved in accordance with IMS internal procedures, with technical input from relevant IMS staff and stakeholders as appropriate.
• The consultant will collaborate closely with IMS partners to gather the relevant data needed for this assignment.
• IMS shall furnish the consultant with pertinent documentation related to the study, a comprehensive explanation of the assignment, and technical as well as administrative support, including timely responses to inquiries and feedback on draft reports.
• IMS will recruit and pay the consultant in accordance with the contract and facilitate the smooth running of the assignment as far as possible.
• The consultant will work in close coordination with IMS staff and partners as required.