According to the Media Proclamation, the Authority is dedicated to fostering a diverse and responsible media and advertising sector through effective regulation, capacity building, and partnerships. It also aims to establish favorable conditions that fully uphold freedom of expression and media freedom, as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and international human rights treaties to which Ethiopia is a party.

The Authority ensures compliance with legal standards in the media, supports accountability, issues broadcasting licenses, promotes diversity in ownership and content, facilitates dialogue among stakeholders, and nurtures positive relations between media entities and government institutions.

The Authority is responsible for registering, licensing, and monitoring broadcast, print, and online media. It enforces relevant proclamations, including the Advertising Proclamation, in collaboration with other organizations to mitigate and control the dissemination of hate speech and misinformation.

Beyond its regulatory duties, the Authority engages in capacity-building initiatives through research and studies, with the goal of enhancing professionalism within the sector, ensuring content diversity, and generating evidence-based recommendations for media policy.