The study focused on a comparative analysis of Ethiopia television media channel and rnjournalists in transition period. The study specifically focused on the role of media function in rnold regime and ongoing regime, press autonomy and freedom, media challenges, journalistsâ€Ÿ rnprofessional ethics practice, media watchdog role, and media future development. The study rnadopted mixed approach and employed comparative explanatory design in state and private rntelevision media channel. The study employed stratified sampling method to selected 2 state rnmedia channels from 3 and 2 private from 6 media channel. The total population of the study rnwas 670 (644 state media and 26 private) and 245 participants (227 state and 20 private) rnselected by using simple random sampling. Questionnaires and interview were used to gather rndata from state and private media. Descriptive statistical techniques were used for data analysis rnby using SPSS software version 26. The study found that state media influenced by ruling party rnin both regimes than private media. However, the old regime influence media than ongoing rnregime. While, there was similar path dependency in state media than private media channels rnbut press autonomy and freedom seems free in ongoing regime than old regime in both regimes. rnIn addition, state media channel has been government watchdog and private media channel was rnparty watchdog and currently convert to government watchdog. The study result illustrated that rnmedia for the future look bright, while have challenges. The main challenge of media was rnmaterial and equipment as well as political instability. Generally, media function, ethics, and rnpress autonomy and freedom were better in ongoing regime than old regime. While, private rnmedia was independent compare to state media in both regimes. Therefore, the results suggest rnthat media should be break path dependency via media standard function discourse, top rnmanagers of state media should be appointed by merits rather than politically. Government rnshould be facilitating training for all journalist based on international standard and experience rnsharing with developed countries media.