Martin Shibbye accepts the Golden Pen of Freedom award on behalf of Eskinder Nega. (Photo by A. Reid)
By Alastair Reid
Eskinder Nega, an Ethiopian journalist imprisoned on terrorism charges in 2011, has been awarded the Golden Pen of Freedom as an “emblem of Ethiopia’s struggle” and a symbol of solidarity with jailed journalists around the world.
In an emotional speech, Martin Schibbye, who accepted the award on Nega’s behalf having spent time in the same prison on similar charges, said: “It is not us fighting for his freedom, but he who is fighting for ours. Stay strong Eskinder.”
Nega is serving an 18-year sentence for charges of terrorism.
Presenting the award, Erik Bjerager, president of WAN-IFRA, said Nega’s crime was “to have challenged the same laws used to imprison him”..
The imprisonment is an “unforgettable warning to every working journalist and editor that the fight to create a just and free society comes with a heavy price,” Bjerager said.
Read more at Journalism.co.uk.
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Journalism.co.uk is reporting from the World Newspaper Congress in Torino, Italy. Follow @AlastairReid 3 and #editors14 for updates.
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