After publishing an online column in 2011, Eskinder Nega was accused of providing “moral support” to supposed outlaws, as he criticised the prosecution of journalists considered by the Ethiopian government to be “terrorists.” Eskinder was also charged for alleged links to Ginbot 7, a banned political party based in the United States, a claim which he has rejected. As a result, Eskinder received an 18-year jail sentence in July 2012 under Ethiopia’s anti-terrorism legislation – yet another gruelling example of how such laws can be misused to stifle and punish the work of journalists in the name of national security.

Leaving was never an option. Even as his colleagues fled Ethiopia’s systematic jailing and constant harassment, journalist Eskinder Nega stayed behind to continue writing. There was simply too much to be done.