Media: In principle, freedom of the press, access to information of public interest and prohibition of censorship are guaranteed by the constitution. However, the reality of the situation has reportedly deteriorated in recent years, especially following the 2005 elections when large numbers of journalists and other civil society actors were imprisoned or intimidated. Authorities occasionally detain, beat or harass journalists and, as a result, an increasing number of journalists practise self-censorship or are forced into exile, according to the US Department of State 2010. The same source further states that in 2008 a reporter was attacked by 3 civilians who admitted in court that they were hired to attack him. The reporter states that he suspected government supporters to be behind the act as they felt threatened by the reporter's newspaper reporting on corruption. By the year's end the case was not further investigated, although the reporter pressed for such measures. According to Global Integrity 2010, it is almost impossible for independent TV or radio stations to get a license and that the media is widely viewed as a political tool in Ethiopia. In a 2005 UNECA study, 75% of the experts surveyed reported that the media operates in an environment where their rights are frequently violated by the government. Authorities frequently invoke the 1992 Law on the Press regarding publication of false and offensive information in order to justify the arrest and detainment of journalists. In late 2008, Parliament adopted a new media law after heavy debate and criticism from civil society, international NGOs and donors. Although the law barred government censorship of private media and the detention of journalists, it also allowed prosecutors to seize material before publication in the name of national security, and has given the government broader powers to pursue defamation cases against the media. The news media are dominated by state-owned broadcasters and government-oriented newspapers. There are a number of independent newspapers, but they struggle financially and face government harassment. According to Transparency International 2010, Transparency Ethiopia initiated a journalist roundtable initiative in cooperation with the Anti Corruption Commission of Ethiopia with the goal of encouraging the media to further engage in corruption and ethic plagued issues. The roundtable discussion, in which reporters from prominent print and broadcast media outlets participated, focused on the barriers that handicapped anti-corruption investigations and the need to conduct on-going anti-corruption sessions. Freedom House 2011 ranks Ethiopia 168th out of 196 countries in relation to press freedom and describes the country's press environment as 'not free', while the Reporters Without Borders 2010 ranks the country 140th out of 175 countries.

Civil Society: Civil society in Ethiopia is generally considered to be weak and it is consequently not particularly active in the fight against corruption. However, there are some organisations voicing their views on corruption issues, and there has generally been a growing interest on behalf of the private sector and CSOs/NGOs in fighting corruption. However, this activity is not without costs. The leaders of two influential civil society organisations (CSOs) dealing with governance, Daniel Bekele of ActionAid and Netsanet Demissie of the Organisation for Social Justice in Ethiopia, were arrested in November 2005 and convicted of 'crimes of outrage against the Constitution'. More than 60% of experts surveyed in a 2005 UNECA study reported that civil society had a weak or no influence on government policies and programmes. Nevertheless, citizens surveyed by the Transparency Ethiopia: Corruption Diagnostic Baseline Survey 2009 believe that it is extremely important to include members of civil society and the private sector if corruption is to be fought in Ethiopia. In February 2009, Ethiopia passed The Charities and Societies Proclamation, a highly controversial law, which prohibits civil society organisations that receive more than 10% of their funding from foreign sources from engaging in activities pertaining to advocacy, human rights and democracy, as reported by the US Department of State 2009. Given the fact that nearly all CSOs that work in these areas rely on foreign funding, the law will in essence prevent civil society from taking part acting as a check and balance against government abuses.  

Transparency Ethiopia (TE): TE is a local chapter of Transparency International. It was legally established in 2002, and conducts advocacy work on anti-corruption laws and works to promote greater public awareness of corruption issues through reporting, workshops, seminars and events. It also seeks to build coalitions with the private sector, other civil society organisations and governmental entities to prevent corrupt practices and strengthen public institutions. For example, TE has been conducting research and functioned as advisor on selected anti-corruption issues for the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEAC). TE produced the Corruption Diagnostic Baseline Survey 2009, intending to gather data on citizens' confidence on public institutions and to evaluate the quality of public services.

Organisation for Social Justice in Ethiopia (OSJE): The OSJE is a human rights NGO that aims to promote social justice, democracy and good governance by addressing the denial and violations of basic rights of the poor and marginalised. The OSJE functioned as a secretariat for a 35-member coalition of NGOs to observe the May 2005 elections, and has been publicly outspoken about corruption in the country. The leader of the organisation has been jailed on charges of treason.

ActionAid: ActionAid is an international NGO with an Ethiopian chapter working against poverty and injustice through various focus areas, such as HIV/AIDS prevention, justice and good governance. The leader of the chapter has been outspoken about governance issues and has consequently been jailed on charges of treason. The organisation has been accused by the Ministry of Justice for attempting to interfere with the administration of justice by calling for the release of jailed civil society leaders.

Initiative Africa (IA): IA is an Addis Ababa-based NGO and think-tank that brings together project managers and their organisations to improve and bring innovation to governance and development practices in Ethiopia and greater Africa. The organisation was established in 2002 by individual business entrepreneurs. IA promotes the study of public and private governance and facilitates dialogue and knowledge-sharing through locally driven development programmes and activities, such as workshops, analyses and conferences. IA works to combat inequality, injustice and power differentials by promoting actions that advance human rights, good governance and democracy, and by building the capacity of local CSOs/NGOs working in this area. IA works in partnership with communities, government agencies, international organisations, NGOs and the private sector.