Introduction and Background
In Eritrea, journalism is a perilous occupation. Independent media outlets have been shut down for over two decades, and journalists are imprisoned without charge or trial. The country has consistently ranked at the bottom of global press freedom indexes, often described as the most repressive environment for journalists in the world.

When the government consolidated power after independence, it tolerated a brief period of press pluralism. Newspapers, magazines, and broadcasters emerged in the 1990s, cautiously testing the boundaries of state authority. That space was brutally closed in September 2001, when the government shut down all independent newspapers and arrested at least ten editors and reporters. Many of them remain in secret detention to this day.

This article explores how Eritrea has dismantled press freedom, the experiences of those targeted, the consequences for society, and the urgent need for reform.


Legal and Political Framework
Eritrea’s constitution, ratified in 1997 but never implemented, formally guarantees freedom of expression. In practice, no such freedom exists. The government controls all media outlets, including newspapers, radio, and television.

The Ministry of Information acts as both censor and gatekeeper. Only state-approved narratives are allowed. Journalists are expected to serve as instruments of government propaganda, rather than watchdogs or independent observers. Reporting on sensitive topics such as governance, corruption, or national service is forbidden.

International observers, including the United Nations, classify Eritrea as a “black hole” for information. Foreign correspondents are rarely granted visas, and Eritrean journalists who attempt to challenge the state face imprisonment, forced labour, or enforced disappearance.


Lived Experiences and Repression
Testimonies from exiled journalists provide rare insight. Many describe sudden arrests in the middle of the night, indefinite detention without trial, and torture in remote prisons. Families are often not informed of their loved ones’ whereabouts. Some detainees are believed to have died in custody.

One of the most well‑known cases is that of Dawit Isaak, a Swedish‑Eritrean journalist arrested in 2001. He has been held incommunicado for over twenty years, with no access to legal representation or medical care. His case symbolises the absolute denial of press freedom in Eritrea.

Inside the country, journalists who remain in state employment operate under strict censorship. They cannot deviate from official scripts. Even seemingly benign errors may result in punishment. This environment has fostered widespread self‑censorship, with truth sacrificed for survival.


Consequences for Society and the Region
The silencing of independent journalism has deep consequences. Eritreans are denied access to reliable information, unable to scrutinise government actions or demand accountability. Public debate is reduced to whispers in private spaces, while state narratives dominate the airwaves.

This blackout also fuels mass displacement. Journalists and intellectuals are among the thousands who flee Eritrea each year, seeking asylum in neighbouring countries and Europe. The absence of a free press has further obscured other human rights abuses, including indefinite conscription and arbitrary detention, leaving international organisations to rely on testimonies from refugees and the diaspora.

Regionally, Eritrea’s lack of press freedom undermines stability and democratic development. It stands in sharp contrast to fragile but existing media landscapes in neighbouring Ethiopia or Sudan, and it isolates Eritrea diplomatically.


Accountability, Advocacy, and Conclusion
Eritrea’s jailing of journalists violates fundamental international obligations, including the right to freedom of expression under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The government must release detained journalists, reopen space for independent media, and implement safeguards for press freedom.

International actors have a role to play:
- Governments should apply diplomatic pressure, including targeted sanctions against officials responsible for repression.
- Media and NGOs must continue to document abuses, amplify exiled voices, and advocate for detainees.
- Regional bodies like the African Union and IGAD should place press freedom on their agendas, linking it to peace and security in the Horn of Africa.

Eritrea remains one of the last places on earth where journalism itself is criminalised. Until journalists are freed and the press allowed to operate without fear, Eritreans will remain voiceless, and the truth about their country will remain hidden.