When Eritrea silenced its critics
How a journalist tried to escape Eritrea's historic crackdown on critics and the press
Witness History · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
In 2001, the Eritrean government suddenly arrested prominent critics and journalists, and shut down the country's independent press. None of those detained have been seen since. Eritrea, once hailed as a model for Africa, was accused of becoming one of the most repressive states in the world. We hear the story of Eritrean journalist Semret Seyoum, who'd set up the country's first private newspaper. He went into hiding and later tried to escape.
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