June 7, 2025
Tigray Broadcasting Service (TBS), a rising privately owned independent media outlet known for its bold reporting and thoughtful editorials, has called for the immediate release of two members of its camera crew who were arrested without charge in Aksum on Friday morning.
The detained crew—Bereket Teklegerima and Ermias Gebrekidan—were on assignment to investigate persistent complaints of poor governance from the local business community. According to TBS, the team intended to document the grievances of affected business owners and speak with relevant city officials.
In a statement released Saturday, the management of TBS expressed deep concern and outrage over the arrest, describing it as “part of a gang and anti-democratic trend unfolding in Tigray.” The statement emphasized that the crew were simply doing their job and labeled their detention “totally unacceptable.”
“TBS operates with strict professionalism and discipline,” the management noted, highlighting that the network often assigns regional experts in areas where direct deployment from Mekelle is not possible due to logistical constraints. “The arrest of our innocent team members is an attack on press freedom and democratic values.”
Efforts by TBS to secure the release of its employees were ongoing as of Saturday afternoon. TBS sources told UMD Media that a letter sent by the station on Saturday morning to local authorities went unanswered, with officials reportedly claiming to be in a meeting. Negotiations had been underway since their with the Aksum city administration, the zonal police commission, and security officials.
“Journalism is not a crime,” TBS declared, reiterating its commitment to press freedom and urging authorities to respect the role of media in public accountability.
Media observers and rights organizations are expected to closely watch how local authorities respond to what some are calling an alarming incident in a region still striving for transparency and democratic recovery.
