Bekalu is a professional journalist who has worked for both state and non-state media organizations. He is also the founder of an online media outlet called Alpha TV. Previously, he was the co-founder and manager of Awlo Media, which was closed due to the confiscation of media equipment by the government and the detention of staff. He has been detained repeatedly because of his professional work and opposition to the wars in Ethiopia since 2020. During his last detention at Awash Arba Prison, he suffered greatly and fell ill. After his recent release, the EHRDC received his accounts of torture, and shortly thereafter, he was forced to leave the country along with Belay Manaye.