Standing with Ethiopia’s tenacious blogger, Eskinder Nega
It would be hard to find a better symbol of media repression in Africa than Eskinder Nega. The veteran Ethiopian journalist and dissident blogger has been detained at least seven times by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s government over the past two decades, and was put back in jail on September 14, 2011, after he published…
In Eskinder case, politicized verdict undermines Ethiopia
New York, May 2, 2013—In response to today’s ruling by Ethiopia’s Supreme Court to uphold an 18-year prison sentence imposed on award-winning journalist Eskinder Nega and reject his appeal, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “This ruling trivializes the serious crime of terrorism, upholds a politically motivated travesty of justice, and lessens…
Members of European Parliament call to free Eskinder
On December 18, 16 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) wrote an open letter to Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn calling for the immediate release of the independent journalist and blogger Eskinder Nega, who was condemned in July to 18 years in prison under the country’s tough 2009 anti-terrorism legislation.
Ethiopia sentences Eskinder, 5 others on terror charges
Nairobi, July 13, 2012–An Ethiopian court today handed down heavy prison sentences to six journalists convicted on vague terrorism charges, local journalists and news reports said. Award-winning blogger Eskinder Nega got an 18-year term; the others live in exile and were sentenced in absentia.
Ethiopia arrests at least five journalists during state of emergency
Nairobi, March 26, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Ethiopian authorities to release five journalists. Security forces yesterday arrested Eskinder Nega, Temesghen Desalegn, Zone 9 bloggers Befekadu Hailu and Mahlet Fantahun, and Zelalem Workagegnehu, who were gathered at Temesghen’s house in Addis Ababa, according to reports and a statement by the Swiss-based Association…
Sakharov and the fight for a free press in Ethiopia
In 1968, Andrei Sakharov braved censorship and personal risk in the Soviet Union to give humanity an honest and timeless declaration of conscience. That same year, Ethiopia’s most prominent dissenter, Eskinder Nega, was born. In January 1981, a year into Sakharov’s exile in the closed city of Gorky, Reeyot Alemu, another fierce, Ethiopian free thinker,…
Journalist jailed in Ethiopia is championed in D.C., abroad
In July, CPJ condemned the 18-year sentence of Eskinder Nega, promiment Ethiopian blogger, who was convicted over critical articles he had written.In reporting worldwide appeals for Eskinder’s sentence, The Washington Post speaks to Eskinder’s supporters and advocates, including CPJ’s Africa Program Coordinator, Mohamed Keita.Click here for the full story
CPJ Impact
News from the Committee to Protect Journalists, July 2012 CPJ calls for release of jailed Ethiopian blogger CPJ’s condemnation of the trial and conviction of Ethiopian blogger Eskinder Nega this month has received widespread coverage in the international media, as has a follow-up story on the Ethiopian government’s attempts to cover up news of Prime…
Ethiopian blogger convicted of plotting with rebels
According to CPJ research, Ethiopia is the second leading jailer of journalists in Africa, currently holding seven journalists behind bars. CPJ and the Africa Media Initiative met with Ethiopia’s senior communications minister in an effort to advocate for the release of jailed journalists, including prominent blogger Eskinder Nega, under the country’s anti-terrorism law. Found guilty on June 27,…
Blogger fights terror charges as Ethiopian leader praised
Last week in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, while Prime Minister Meles Zenawi was making a speech about Africa’s growth potential at an African Union forum, a journalist who his administration has locked away since September on bogus terrorism charges was presenting his defense before a judge. Eskinder Nega has been one of the most…