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Africa Daily

What’s the cost of being a journalist in Eritrea?

Nov 19, 2024
Betlehem Isaak, the daughter of imprisoned journalist Dawit Isaak and a dedicated advocate for press freedom, shares her profound journey in the face of Eritrea's harsh media repression. She discusses the grim reality of independent journalism in her home country, marked by government crackdowns that have ensnared many journalists, including her father. Betlehem reflects on the emotional toll of years of separation and the recent honor of receiving the Edelstam Prize, emphasizing the urgency for international action to support human rights and freedom of expression.
15:49

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Quick takeaways

  • Eritrea is ranked last in press freedom, having banned independent media since 2001 and repressing dissenting voices.
  • Bethlehem Isaak reflects on the personal trauma of her father's imprisonment and calls for international intervention to support Eritrean human rights.

Deep dives

The Grim Reality of Journalism in Eritrea

Eritrea is considered the most dangerous country in the world for journalists, as independent media has been completely banned since 2001. The government holds a grim grip on information, allowing only state-run media to operate under strict control, leaving no room for independent voices. Numerous journalists have been jailed without trial, with many, like Dawit Isaac, having faced over two decades of detention and severe mistreatment. Dawit, once a key figure in Eritrea's first independent newspaper, is now a symbol of the country’s oppressive regime and the dire situation for press freedom.

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