The Sad Story of Ethiopian Media: A Tale of Persecution, Freedom, and Courage

Bisrat Woldemichael Handiso, an esteemed Ethiopian journalist, dedicated his career to advocating for press freedom and exposing government violations of human rights. As a co-founder of the Ethiopian Journalists Forum (EJF),Handiso worked tirelessly to empower young journalists and create a platform for them to speak out against injustice.

Under Handiso's leadership, the EJF organized training workshops and facilitated discussions on press freedom, enlightening aspiring journalists about the importance of their role in society. Handiso also stood by his fellow journalists, visiting them in prison and hospitals, and even arranged for medical assistance when needed.

The EJF faced unfounded allegations of being an illegal organization associated with terrorism, marking the beginning of a tumultuous journey for Handiso. Persecuted by the Ethiopian secret service, he was left with no choice but to flee his homeland for Nairobi, Kenya, where he found refuge and received official refugee status.

Handiso's poignant essay sheds light on the tragic state of Ethiopian media, which experienced a brief period of press freedom and freedom of speech before succumbing to prosecution based on false accusations. Journalists and media publishers, driven by their unwavering commitment to exposing government wrongdoings, were either detained or forced to flee Ethiopia to continue their noble work.

The author's powerful message is a reminder that a government's disregard for media freedom impairs a country's development in the broadest sense. Without a free press, transparency, accountability, and justice become elusive, hindering both social progress and economic growth.

Published by the Eva Tas Foundation, this compelling narrative serves as a testament to the courage of Ethiopian journalists and their unwavering fight for truth, human rights, and press freedom. The Eva Tas Foundation is dedicated to encouraging the publication and promotion of texts that challenge censorship, no matter the location or circumstances.