Today
European freelance journalists from many countries gathered in a seminar in Florence, Italy, organized by the
European Federation of Journalists, expressed their support for an immediate
release of the two Swedish freelance journalists who are held by the Ethiopian
government since the beginning of July. The journalists entered the country
without permit and they will appear in court on the 18th October,
charged with being terrorists. They are risking 20 years in prison, according
to the harsh Ethiopian terrorist legislation.
"Our
colleagues were doing their jobs", says the European freelancers, "they were
trying to report from the Ogaden region, a conflict area from which very little
information is reaching the world outside".
The
situation shows very clearly the problem facing many freelancers. They are
going to risky areas to report, as employed journalists, for economic reasons,
no longer are being sent to cover these areas in the same way as before.
The need
for support from media owners for freelances covering troublesome situations is
getting very clear through what has happened to the Swedish colleagues. Now a campaign in Sweden has raised money to
help cover the legal costs for the two colleagues.
We demand
that employers and media owners take responsibility and insure the freelancers for
risks and damages and give them full support when they are coming into
troublesome situations as a result of their job.
We demand
from the swedish government that it puts all efforts to seek international
cooperation to help release the Swedish citizens and freelance journalists
Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson.
- Release
our freelance colleagues Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson!
- They are
working freelance journalists and not terrorists!
We demand
the immediate release of our colleagues!
The EFJ
represents more than 260.000 members in over 30 countries
For more information,
please contact the EFJ on + 32 2 235 22 00
