Wed, 06 May 2026 09:46:52 +0000

Breaking the Silence: Laaila Fattah Speaks About Press Freedom in Eritrea In the shadow of state control and restricted expression, few voices rise as powerfully as Laaila Fattah—an Eritrean journalist and advocate for press freedom whose courage challenges the silence surrounding media repression. Her powerful reflections shed light on one of the world’s most restrictive environments for independent journalism, offering honesty, resilience, and a clarion call for truth in Eritrea and beyond. ### The Cost of Speaking Truth in Eritrea Eritrea ranks among the most restrictive countries globally for press freedom, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and other independent watchdogs. For years, the government has maintained strict surveillance over all media outlets, banning independent reporting and censoring nearly all forms of public discourse. Journalists operate under constant threat—arrests, imprisonment, and enforced disappearance are not uncommon. Within this suffocating climate, breaking silence is no small act.