Johan Persson Archives - Committee to Protect Journalists

Exiled Ethiopian journalists perform a traditional coffee ceremony in a shared, cramped apartment in Nairobi. A wave of arrests prompted at least 30 Ethiopian journalists to flee into exile in 2014. (CPJ/Nicole Schilit)

Conflating terrorism and journalism in Ethiopia

April 27, 2015 11:01 AM EDT

At the Lideta courthouse in Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa, stands a statue of a blindfolded woman holding a set of scales in her outstretched hand–a universal symbol of justice, here cast in metal of pinkish gold and wearing thick braids in her hair.

Attacks on the Press: Misusing Terror Laws

February 14, 2013 12:05 AM EST

Governments exploit national security laws to punish critical journalists. By Monica Campbell

Attacks on the Press: Prison Census 2012: A Worldwide Roundup

February 14, 2013 12:04 AM EST

Worldwide tally reaches highest point since CPJ began surveys in 1990. Governments use charges of terrorism, other anti-state offenses to silence critical voices. Turkey is the world’s worst jailer. A CPJ special report

Swedish journalists Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye appear on state television. (ETV/YouTube)

Ethiopia should release journalists still in prison

September 11, 2012 5:13 PM EDT

Nairobi, September 11, 2012–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on the Ethiopian government to set free six journalists in prison for their work, a day after Swedish journalists Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye were pardoned and released from Kality Prison in the capital Addis Ababa.

CPJ welcomes Ethiopian pardon of Swedish journalists

September 10, 2012 2:44 PM EDT

Nairobi, September 10, 2012–The Committee to Protect Journalists is relieved to learn the Ethiopian government has pardoned Swedish journalists Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye today.

CPJ and Africa Media Initiative meet Ethiopian minister

June 11, 2012 12:50 PM EDT

Addis Ababa, June 11, 2012–The Committee to Protect Journalists and the Africa Media Initiative (AMI) called for the release of journalists being held under Ethiopia’s anti-terrorism laws and requested a review of those laws as they affect freedom of speech.

Attacks on the Press in 2011: Journalists In Prison

February 21, 2012 4:41 PM EST

Iran is the world’s worst jailer of the press. Detentions rise in the Middle East and North Africa.

An Ethiopian court has sentenced Swedish journalists Johan Persson (left) and Martin Schibbye to 11 years in prison. (AFP)

In Ethiopia, Swedish journalists handed prison terms

December 27, 2011 3:04 PM EST

New York, December 27, 2011–In a highly politicized trial, two Swedish journalists have been sentenced in an Ethiopian court to 11-year jail terms after being convicted of supporting terrorism and entering the country illegally, according to news reports.

Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson could be sentenced to up to 18 years. (Reuters)

CPJ condemns trial of Swedish journalists in Ethiopia

December 21, 2011 3:40 PM EST

New York, December 21, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns an Ethiopian court’s decision to convict two Swedish photojournalists today in what appears to be a politicized trial.

Ethiopia must free convicted Swedish journalists

December 21, 2011 8:54 AM EST

December 21, 2011–Today’s conviction of two Swedish journalists by an Ethiopian court is emblematic of Ethiopia’s increasing use of antiterrorism laws to persecute independent media, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.