20 Dec 2019 | Eritrea, Journalism Toolbox Spanish
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Un edificio del gobierno en Asmara, capital de Eritrea. Imagen: Charles Roffey/Flickr
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Abraham T. Zere comenzó su carrera en un periódico del Gobierno después de que se prohibieran todos los medios de comunicación independientes. Exiliado ahora en EE. UU., revela los peligros a los que se enfrentan los redactores en el “país más censurado del mundo“”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
A principios de 2016, los periodistas y miembros de plantilla en puestos clave del ministro de Información de Eritrea fueron obligados a rellenar un formulario con sus datos personales, incluida la información de sus cuentas bancarias y el domicilio de sus familias. La amenaza que suponía para los que estuviesen pensando en dejar el país era evidente.
Han pasado más de 10 años desde que dejé de trabajar para el Ministerio de Información. En este tiempo, ha evolucionado hasta ser un centro del terror extremadamente militarizado cuya interferencia en las vidas de los periodistas es más explícita que nunca.
En abril, Bekeret Abraha, un periodista exiliado, concedió una entrevista a la emisora etíope Radio Wegahta. Abraha, que ha estado en prisión en tres ocasiones, confirmó que es principalmente el ejército quien evalúa a día de hoy la actuación de los periodistas del Gobierno, y muchos de estos han sido encarcelados como consecuencia de ello. Desde 2012 también se les exige que participen en simulacros militares y que hagan guardia en las oficinas del Gobierno
Eritrea se encuentra actualmente en el último puesto (el número 180) en la Clasificación de Libertad de Prensa Internacional de Reporteros sin Fronteras. El Comité para la Protección de los Periodistas lo ha denominado el “país más censurado” del mundo.
Yo aún era joven cuando todavía había periódicos independientes en activo en Eritrea, antes de que los prohibiesen en 2001. Fui colaborador activo de uno de ellos, Zemen, durante mi último año de educación secundaria. El redactor jefe, Amanuel Asrat, que era mi mentor, me había prometido un trabajo cuando terminase la carrera de periodismo, pero lo encarcelaron antes de graduarme y nunca volví a tener noticias suyas. Parecía muy improbable que volvieran a abrir los periódicos independientes algún día, así que en abril de 2003 empecé una columna semanal en el periódico del Gobierno, Haddass-Ertra.
Mi columna, titulada “La agenda de hoy”, pretendía comunicar ciertos mensajes en un nivel simbólico o abstracto a la par que cubría temas como la literatura, la filosofía, las artes, la juventud, la política o cuestiones de Gobierno. Por alguna razón me las arreglé para continuar con la columna durante tres años, haciendo equilibrios entre ser deliberadamente impreciso e incorporar el contexto eritreo.
Aprendí a mantener unas rutinas básicas. El editor —conocido por su lealtad hacia las autoridades superiores— me preguntaba sobre qué había escrito y yo le hacía un resumen del contenido, haciendo hincapié en el ángulo que favoreciera el periódico. Si citaba a figuras internacionales, hacía un apunte sobre el material, asegurando: “El escritor no goza de buena opinión en Occidente”.
Todas las semanas, cuando entregaba mi último artículo, mi editor solo mencionaba el de la semana anterior si contenía algo que había irritado o enfurecido a las autoridades. (De lo contrario, en todos aquellos años nunca recibí ningún tipo de comentario.) El mensaje implícito era: “Tengo una familia que mantener, así que no me metas en líos”.
De las 16 páginas A3 del diario del Gobierno (incluidas dos para anuncios clasificados), solo las tres primeras trataban temas relacionados con Eritrea, y los artículos eran siempre áridos y estaban llenos de clichés. Por ejemplo, textos interminables sobre un nuevo proyecto de construcción de una presa y el hecho de que eso demostraba que Eritrea progresaba a pesar de lo que dijera Occidente.
El resto de noticias eran o bien artículos internacionales traducidos, de poca relevancia para el país o, como mi columna, los que buscaban comunicar ideas furtivamente sin llamar la atención de los jefes.
Si los periodistas se pasaban de la raya, aunque fuera solo un poco, se arriesgaban a que los arrestaran, tras lo cual podrían recuperar el permiso para continuar con su labor después de ser “rehabilitados”. Ali Abdu, ministro de Información, también enviaba a periodistas a su encarcelamiento en prisiones militares, las más brutales del país. El Ministerio de Información también había introducido un complicadísimo sistema de pagos que obligaba a los periodistas autónomos a visitar 13 oficinas de dos ministerios diferentes para cobrar sus honorarios.
Durante mucho tiempo fui sobre seguro. Me llevaba bien con el redactor jefe y me valoraban por ser un periodista prolífico con el que se podía contar en situaciones urgentes. Esto es, hasta que el periódico publicó una carta que atacaba a mi columna, en la que se decía que estaba socavando la sociedad eritrea. Conocía el sistema, así que comprendí que era una advertencia.
Estaba relativamente seguro de que la queja provenía de Abdu, el ministro de Información. En mis tres años en Haddass-Ertra, nunca había tenido ningún contacto personal con Abdu. Nunca acudí a él para pedirle favores o aprobación, una ofensa sin duda imperdonable a sus ojos. Yo era bastante consciente de que tenía una reputación de leer y aprobar todas las noticias locales y que monitorizaba las internacionales con una fijación casi patológica. Sospechaba que no tenía mis artículos en alta estima. Así que al día siguiente de leer su carta, le entregué mi carta de dimisión al redactor jefe.
El descontento de Abdu con mis artículos se hizo evidente más adelante, después de que yo empezase a escribir para la revista del partido en el Gobierno, Hidri, que no estaba bajo su control. Dos veces dirigió ataques contra mí en el periódico nacional y me identificó como una amenaza a la seguridad.
Mis solicitudes de permiso para salir del país y completar una beca en una universidad estadounidense recibieron repetidas negativas. Finalmente en 2012 me ayudé de mis contactos para obtener aprobación para un viaje de estudios a Sudáfrica y de allí viajé a EE. UU., donde aún permanezco.
El ministro de Información Abdu huyó de Eritrea en 2012 y solicitó asilo político en Australia.
“El Ministerio de Información es una institución muerta en cortejo fúnebre”, declaró Abraha en una entrevista de radio en Tanzania. Mientras tanto, los periodistas eritreos viven en un limbo permanente.
Abraham T. Zere es director ejecutivo de PEN Eritrea in Exile
Traducción de Arrate Hidalgo[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
13 Dec 2019 | Magazine, Magazine Contents, Volume 48.04 Winter 2019
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”With contributions from Jeffrey Wasserstrom, Miriam Grace Go, Tammy Lai-ming Ho, Karoline Kan, Rob Sears, Jonathan Tel and Caroline Lees”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
The Winter 2019 issue of Index on Censorship magazine looks at the current pack of macho leaders and how their egos are destroying our freedoms. In this issue Rappler news editor Miriam Grace Go writes about how the president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, tries to position himself as the man by being as foul-mouthed as possible. Indian journalist Somak Goshal reports on how Narenda Modi presents an image of being both the guy next door, as well as a tough guy – and he’s got a large following to ensure his message gets across, come what may. The historian Jeffrey Wasserstrom considers exactly who the real Chinese leader Xi Jinping is – a man of poetry or military might? And Stefano Pozzebon talks to journalists in Brazil who are right in the firing line of Jair Bolsonaro’s vicious attacks on the media. Meanwhile Mark Frary talks about the tools that autocrats are using to crush dissent and Caroline Lees looks at the smears that are becoming commonplace as a tactic to silence journalists. Plus a very special spoof on all of this from bestselling comedic writer Rob Sears.
In our In Focus section, we interview Jamie Barton, who headlined this year’s Last Night at the Proms, an article that fits nicely with another piece on a new orchestra in Yemen from Laura Silvia Battaglia.
In our culture section we publish a poem from Hong Kong writer Tammy Lai-ming Ho, which addresses the current protests engulfing the city, plus two short stories written exclusively for the magazine by Kaya Genç and Jonathan Tel. There’s also a graphic novel straight out of Mexico.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Special Report”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Will the real Xi Jinping please stand up by Jeffrey Wasserstrom: China’s most powerful leader since Mao wears many hats – some of them draconian
Challenging Orbán’s echo chamber by Viktória Serdült: Against the odds a new mayor from an opposition party has come to power in Budapest. We report on his promises to push back against Orbán
Taking on the lion by Stefano Pozzebon: With an aggressive former army captain as president, Brazilian journalists are having to employ bodyguards to keep safe. But they’re fighting back
Seven tips for crushing free speech in the 21st century by Rob Sears: Hey big guy, we know you’re the boss man, but here are some tips to really rule the roost
“Media must come together” by Rachael Jolley and Jan Fox: Interview with the New York Times’ lawyer on why the media needs to rally free speech. Plus Trump vs. former presidents, the ultimate machometer
Tools of the real technos by Mark Frary: The current autocrats have technology bent to their every whim. We’re vulnerable and exposed
Modi and his angry men by Somak Ghoshal: India’s men are responding with violence to Modi’s increasingly nationalist war cry
Global leaders smear their critics by Caroline Lees: Dissenters beware – these made-up charges are being used across borders to distract and destroy
Sexism is president’s power tool by Miriam Grace Go: Duterte is using violent language and threats against journalists, Rappler’s news editor explains
Stripsearch by Martin Rowson: Putin, Trump, Bolsonaro – macho or… nacho?
Sounds against silence by Kaya Genç: Far from a bad rap here as Turkey’s leading musicians use music to criticise the government
Un-mentionables by Orna Herr: The truths these world leaders really can’t handle
Salvini exploits “lack of trust” in Italian media by Alessio Perrone: The reputation of Italian media is poor, which plays straight into the hands of the far-right politician
Macho, macho man by Neema Komba: A toxic form of masculinity has infected politics in Tanzania. Democracy is on the line
Putin’s pushbacks by Andrey Arkhangelskiy: Russians signed up for prosperity not oppression. Is Putin failing to deliver his side of the deal?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row disable_element=”yes”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Global View”][vc_column_text]Trying to shut down women by Jodie Ginsberg: Women are being forced out of politics as a result of abuse. We need to rally behind them, for all our sakes[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”In Focus”][vc_column_text]Dirty industry, dirty tactics by Stephen Woodman: Miners in Brazil, Mexico and Peru are going to extremes to stop those who are trying to protest
Music to Yemen’s ears by Laura Silvia Battaglia: Could a new orchestra in Yemen signal the end of oppressive Houthi rule? These women hope so
Play on by Jemimah Steinfeld: The darling of the opera scene, Jamie Barton, and the woman behind a hit refugee orchestra, discuss taboo breaking on stage
The final chapter by Karoline Kan: The closing of Beijing’s iconic Bookworm has been met with cries of sadness around the world. Why?
Working it out by Steven Borowiec: An exclusive interview about workplace bullying with the Korean Air steward who was forced to kneel and apologise for not serving nuts correctly
Protest works by Rachael Jolley and Jemimah Steinfeld: Two activists on how their protest movements led to real political change in Hungary and Romania
It’s a little bit silent, this feeling inside by Silvia Nortes: Spain’s historic condemnation of suicide is contributing to a damaging culture of silence today[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Culture”][vc_column_text]Hong Kong writes by Tammy Lai-ming Ho: A Hong Kong poet talks to Index from the frontline of the protests about how her writing keeps her and others going. Also one of her poems published here
Writing to the challenge by Kaya Genç: Orna Herr speaks to the Turkish author about his new short story, written exclusively for the magazine, in which Turkish people get obsessed with raccoons
Playing the joker by Jonathan Tel: The award-winning writer tells Rachael Jolley about the power of subversive jokes. Plus an exclusive short story set in a Syrian prison
Going graphic by Andalusia Knoll Soloff and Marco Parra: Being a journalist in Mexico is often a deadly pursuit. But sometimes the horrors of this reality are only shown in cartoon for, as the journalist and illustrator show[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Index around the world”][vc_column_text]Governments seek to control reports by Orna Herr: Journalists are facing threats from all angles, including new terrorist legislation[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Endnote”][vc_column_text]Culture vultures by Jemimah Steinfeld: The extent of art censorship in democracies is far greaten than initially meets the eye, Index reveals[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Subscribe”][vc_column_text]In print, online, in your mailbox, on your iPad.
Subscription options from £18 or just £1.49 in the App Store for a digital issue.
Every subscriber helps support Index on Censorship’s projects around the world.
SUBSCRIBE NOW[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Read”][vc_column_text]The playwright Arthur Miller wrote an essay for Index in 1978 entitled The Sin of Power. We reproduce it for the first time on our website and theatre director Nicholas Hytner responds to it in the magazine
READ HERE[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Listen”][vc_column_text]In the Index on Censorship autumn 2019 podcast, we focus on how travel restrictions at borders are limiting the flow of free thought and ideas. Lewis Jennings and Sally Gimson talk to trans woman and activist Peppermint; San Diego photojournalist Ariana Drehsler and Index’s South Korean correspondent Steven Borowiec
LISTEN HERE[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
26 Mar 2019 | Magazine, Magazine Editions, Volume 48.01 Spring 2019
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”With contributions from Richard Littlejohn, Libby Purves, Michal Hvorecký, Karoline Kan, Andrew Morton, Jeffrey Wasserstrom, Rituparna Chatterjee and Julie Posetti”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Is this all the local news? The spring 2019 issue of Index on Censorship magazine.
The spring 2019 edition of Index on Censorship looks at local news in the UK and around the world and what happens when local journalism no longer holds power to account.
Our exclusive survey of editors and journalists in the UK shows that 97% are worried that local newspapers don’t have the resources any more to hold power to account. Meanwhile the older population tell us they are worried that the public is less well informed than it used to be. Local news reporting is in trouble all over the world. In the USA Jan Fox looks at the news deserts phenomenon and what it means for a local area to lose its newspaper. Karoline Kan writes from China about how local newspapers, which used to have the freedom to cover crises and hold the government to account, are closing as they come increasingly under Communist Party scrutiny. Veteran English radio journalist Libby Purves tells editor Rachael Jolley that local newspapers in the UK used to give a voice to working-class people and that their demise may have contributed to Brexit. In India Rituparna Chatterjee finds a huge appetite for local news, but discovers, with some notable exceptions, that there is not enough investment to satisfy demand. “Fake news” is on the rise, and journalists are vulnerable to bribery. Meanwhile Mark Frary examines how artificial intelligence is being used to write news stories and asks whether this is helping or hindering journalism. Finally an extract from the dystopian Slovak novel Troll, Michal Hvorecký published in English for the first time imagines an outpouring of state-sponsored hate
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Special Report: Is this all the local news?”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
The future is robotic by Mark Frary Would journalists have more time to investigate news stories if robots did the easy bits?
Terrorising the truth by Stephen Woodman Journalists on the US border are too intimidated by drug cartels to report what is happening
Switched off by Irene Caselli After years as a political football, Argentinian papers are closing as people turn to the internet for news
News loses by Jan Fox Thousands of US communities have lost their daily papers. What is the cost to their area?
Stripsearch by Martin Rowson On the death of local news
What happens when our local news disappears by Tracey Bagshaw How UK local newspapers are closing and coverage of court proceedings is not happening
Who will do the difficult stories now? by Rachael Jolley British local newspaper editors fear a future where powerful figures are not held to account, plus a poll of public opinion on journalism
“People feel too small to be heard” by Rachael Jolley Columnist Libby Purves tells Index fewer working-class voices are being heard and wonders whether this contributed to Brexit
Fighting for funding by Peter Sands UK newspaper editors talk about the pressures on local newspapers in Britain today
Staying alive by Laura Silvia Battaglia Reporter Sandro Ruotolo reveals how local news reporters in southern Italy are threatened by the Mafia
Dearth of news by Karoline Kan Some local newspapers in China no longer dig into corruption or give a voice to local people as Communist Party scrutiny increases
Remote controller by Dan Nolan What happens when all major media, state and private, is controlled by Hungary’s government and all the front pages start looking the same
Rocky times by Monica O’Shea Local Australian newspapers are merging, closing and losing circulation which leaves scandals unreported
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Global View”][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”In Focus”][vc_column_text]
Turning off the searchlights by Alessio Perrone The Italian government attempts to restrict coverage of the plight of refugees crossing the Mediterranean
Standing up for freedom Adam Reichardt A look at Gdańsk’s history of protest and liberalism, as the city fights back after the murder of mayor Paweł Adamowicz
After the purge by Samuel Abrahám and Miriam Sherwood This feature asks two writers about lessons for today from their Slovak families’ experiences 50 years ago
Fakebusters strike back by Raymond Joseph How to spot deep fakes, the manipulated videos that are the newest form of “fake news” to hit the internet
Cover up by Charlotte Bailey Kuwaiti writer Layla AlAmmar discusses why 4,000 books were banned in her home country and the possible fate of her first #MeToo novel
Silence speaks volumes by Neema Komba Tanzanian artists and musicians are facing government censorship in a country where 64 new restrictions have just been introduced
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Culture”][vc_column_text]
The year of the troll by Michal Hvorecký This extract from the novel Troll describes a world where the government controls the people by spewing out hate 24 hours a day
Ghost writers by Jeffrey Wasserstrom The author and China expert imagines a fictional futuristic lecture he’s going to give in 2049, the centenary of Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four
Protesting through poetry by Radu Vancu Verses by one of Romania’s most renowned poets draw on his experience of anti-corruption protests in Sibiu
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Press freedom: EU blind spot? By Sally Gimson Many European countries are violating freedom of the press; why is the EU not taking it more seriously?
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Subscribe”][vc_column_text]In print, online, in your mailbox, on your iPad.
Subscription options from £18 or just £1.49 in the App Store for a digital issue.
Every subscriber helps support Index on Censorship’s projects around the world.
SUBSCRIBE NOW[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”105481″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Listen”][vc_column_text]The spring 2019 magazine podcast, featuring interviews with editor of chinadialogue, Karoline Kan; director of the Society of Editors in the UK Ian Murray and co-founder of the Bishop’s Stortford Independent, Sinead Corr. Index youth board members Arpitha Desai and Melissa Zisingwe also talk about local journalism in India and Zimbabwe
LISTEN HERE[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
25 Jan 2019 | Magazine, News and features, Volume 47.04 Winter 2018 Extras
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Rachael Jolley, editor of Index on Censorship magazine, Sally Gimson, deputy editor, and Tracey Bagshaw, journalist and magazine contributor — with special help from editorial assistant Lewis Jennings — were live on air at Resonance FM on 21 January to discuss the latest issue which takes a special look at why different societies stop people discussing the most significant events in life.
In China, as Karoline Kan reports, women were forced for many years to have just one child and now they are being pushed to have two, but it is not something to talk about. In South Korea Steven Borowiec finds men have taken to social media to condemn a new film adaptation of a novel about motherhood. Irene Caselli describes the consequences in Latin America of preventing discussion about contraception and sexually transmitted infections. Joan McFadden digs into attitudes to gay marriage in the Hebrides, where she grew up, and interviews the Presbyterian minister who demonstrated against Lewis Pride. We have an original play from Syrian dramatist Liwaa Yazji about fear and violent death. While flash fiction writer Neema Komba imagines a Tanzanian bride challenging the marriage committee over her wedding cake. Finally, Nobel-prize-winning author Svetlana Alexievich tells us that she is sanguine about the mortal dangers of chronicling and criticising post-Soviet Russia.
Print copies of the magazine are available on Amazon, or you can take out a digital subscription via Exact Editions. Copies are also available at the BFI, the Serpetine Gallery and MagCulture (all London), News from Nowhere (Liverpool). Red Lion Books (Colchester) and Home (Manchester). Each magazine sale helps Index on Censorship continue its fight for free expression worldwide.
The Winter 2018 podcast can also be found on iTunes.[/vc_column_text][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”4″ element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1548431570319-1f2dca2e-e6db-5″ taxonomies=”30752″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
