Eritrean-born journalist Dawit Isaak awarded UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2017

Dawit Isaak in Sweden circa 1987-88
© Kalle Ahlsén
30 March 2017

Dawit Isaak, an imprisoned Eritrean-Swedish journalist, has been chosen to receive the 2017 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. Mr. Isaak was arrested in a crackdown on the media that occurred in September 2001. The last time he was heard from was in 2005. His present location is unknown.

An independent international jury of media professionals recommended unanimously Mr. Isaak in recognition of his courage, resistance and commitment to freedom of expression, and the recommendation was endorsed by the UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.

“Defending fundamental freedoms calls for determination and courage – it calls for fearless advocates,” said Irina Bokova. “This is the legacy of Guillermo Cano, and the message we send today with this decision to highlight the work of Dawit Isaak.”

“Dawit Isaak joins a long list of courageous journalists who have persevered to shed light in the dark spaces; keeping their communities informed against all odds,” said Cilla Benkö, President of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2017 Jury. “Some have given their lives in the pursuit of truth. Many have been imprisoned. Dawit Isaak has spent nearly 16 years in jail, without charge or trial. I sincerely hope that with this award the world will say, ‘Free Dawit Isaak Now.’”

Dawit Isaak, a playwright, journalist and writer, moved to Sweden in 1987, where he later became a citizen and went into self-imposed exile. After the independence of Eritrea, he returned to his homeland to become one of the founders and reporters of Setit, the first independent newspaper in the country. He was known for his critical and insightful reporting.

The Prize will be awarded during the celebration of World Press Freedom Day, 3 May, hosted in Jakarta, Indonesia this year in the presence of the Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, and the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo.

Created by UNESCO’s Executive Board in 1997, the annual UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize honours a person, organization or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to the defence and, or promotion of press freedom anywhere in the world, and especially when this has been achieved in the face of danger.

The $25,000 Prize is named in honour of Guillermo Cano Isaza, a Colombian journalist who was assassinated in front of the offices of his newspaper, El Espectador, in Bogotá, on 17 December 1986. It is funded by the Cano Foundation (Colombia) and the Helsingin Sanomat Foundation (Finland).

****

For more information, contact:

Sylvie Coudray, +33 1 45 68 42 12; [email protected]
George Papagiannis, +33 1 45 68 17 06; [email protected]


Be the first to comment

Please check your e-mail for a link to activate your account.

Take Action

Eritrean Satellite Television is an international non-profit organization. Please support us by:

Donate

Sign up

Volunteer

Spread the word

Top Leaders

Top 50 Most Earned Points (All time)

Yosief Meharena 1
+6566pt earned points
Zaid Bein 2
+5275pt earned points
efrem tesfay 3
+5024pt earned points
Andebrhan Ekube 4
+4567pt earned points
Hamer Diglel 5
+3295pt earned points
Yosief Meharena 6
+3084pt earned points
Efrem Tesfahiwet 7
+2960pt earned points
Yemane Ghebrekidan 8
+1514pt earned points
Solomon Ghebrewold 9
+1495pt earned points
Khalieb Abraham 10
+740pt earned points
rezene yowhans 11
+702pt earned points
Kidane Weldemichael 12
+585pt earned points
Anonymous 13
+515pt earned points
Abdu Kelifa 14
+488pt earned points
Tewelde Kidane 15
+480pt earned points
Abeba Abraha 16
+430pt earned points
Amanuel Mebrahtu 17
+402pt earned points
stifanos michael 18
+392pt earned points
Haile Tensae 19
+333pt earned points
Teclemariam Ghebregergis 20
+315pt earned points
Yohannes T. Berhe 21
+295pt earned points
Abdu Ali 22
+280pt earned points
Robi91 Smerr1 23
+275pt earned points
Mesfin Kidane 24
+260pt earned points
smuy 25
+255pt earned points
Zery Bokre 26
+245pt earned points
Asefaw Ghebrekidan 27
+235pt earned points
Biniam Biniam Garmskal 28
+233pt earned points
Kassahun Berhane 29
+230pt earned points
Shaban Mohammed 30
+210pt earned points
Negede Tesfamariam 31
+208pt earned points
Tesheme Temesgen 32
+200pt earned points
asgedet tesfa yohannes 33
+185pt earned points
Ugbaldet G. Kidane 34
+176pt earned points
amanuel mebrahtu 35
+171pt earned points
yacob sibhat 36
+170pt earned points
abdu Ahmed 37
+170pt earned points
tekle teklzghi 38
+155pt earned points
Ardel_Gash Y. Negash 39
+152pt earned points
Eyassu Tesfamariam 40
+145pt earned points
Ali Baba Ali Baba 41
+145pt earned points
okubay hagos 42
+135pt earned points
selam fithat selam fithat 43
+130pt earned points
Haile Woldemichael 44
+130pt earned points
Saba Keleta 45
+125pt earned points
Yohanns Ghebrezghi 46
+125pt earned points
yehdego beyene 47
+125pt earned points
Beni Luul 48
+125pt earned points
Habte Berhe 49
+125pt earned points
Asmerom Asfaha 50
+120pt earned points

Upcoming Events