The number of countries where journalists can work in security is decreasing. In the last decade, over a thousand journalists have been murdered and Reporters Without Borders press freedom index 2019 shows that the increased hostility of political leaders towards the media has led to fear and self-censorship. At the same time, Ethiopia has released all its imprisoned journalists and climbs as many as 40 places compared to last year's index.
What happens to democracy when freedom of the press and expression is restricted? How can we strengthen the protection of free journalism? What are the keys to the positive development in Ethiopia?
Martin Schibbye is an award-winning journalist and editor-in-chief of the reportage site Blank spot. In 2011, Martin and his colleague Johan Persson were sentenced to 11 years in prison in Ethiopia during a reportage assignment and wrote the book after their release. 438 days. This autumn comes the next book, The hunt for Dawit, about the Swedish-Eritrean journalist Dawit Isaak who is imprisoned in Eritrea for his regime-critical views. Martin visits FUF for an armchair talk about journalists' vulnerability and the media's role in democracy, focusing on the Horn of Africa.
We offer coffee. Warm welcome!
The armchair call is arranged by FUF's seminar group which consists of young non-profit committed members in the Stockholm area.
The room is half a flight of stairs down without a lift and the seminar is held in Swedish.
