With its short history, media in Ethiopia has been known to be dominated by few state publications and broadcasters.

However, after liberalisation of the TV market, particularly as of 2016 and 2017, many privately owned stations joined the industry. At the moment, according to Ethiopian broadcast authority, there are 27 privately-owned TV channels and over 19 licensed public TV channels and more than 33 religious channels accounting for a remarkable share of growing audience after the reform in 2018. There are also over 25 religion-based TV channels. 

Free, professional and reliable media empower the building of democracy by promoting democratic beliefs and ideas, informing the public, criticising policies and authorities and stimulating ranges of debates. In order for citizens to make intelligent decisions they need to be exposed to quality, relevant, unbiased, timely information and such exposures are gained through the availability of various media choices.

In Ethiopia where the democratisation process is in its infant phase, the media has a paramount role to play in strengthening the process. The media can support democratisation during different events like national and regional elections. The media support elections by profoundly shaping and reshaping public knowledge, opinion, and perception and ultimately alters behaviour and decision-making. Despite financial shortcomings, lack of professionalism, and lack of solidarity, the private media in Ethiopia has continued to contribute to the progression of democracy.

The Association for Ethiopian Broadcasters was established to perform indeterminately to maximise the service given by radio and television broadcast service providers, and the broadcast industry in general, by creating unity among them. It currently has 13 active members comprising private television and radio broadcasters. It strives to promote and protect a favourable economic and regulatory climate for broadcasting and educate members and the public at large about the opportunities available and advances possible through the efforts of free, over-the-air broadcast operations.