Jailed Ethiopian journalist Eskinder Nega honoured

An imprisoned Ethiopian journalist and blogger has been given a prestigious freedom of expression award.Eskinder Nega was awarded the Pen America’s “Freedom to Write” annual prize for publishing articles critical of Ethiopia’s human rights record.His wife Serkalem Fasil, who is a journalist and also spent time in jail, received the award on his behalf. In the past decade, more journalists have fled Ethiopia than any other country, press freedom groups say.‘Withering conditions’ “I accept this award on behalf of Eskinder Nega at a time when freedom of expression and press freedom are at the lowest in Ethiopia,” Ms Serkalem said on Tuesday night in a ceremony in New York.He fell victim to exactly the measures he was highlighting”Peter Godwin Pen American Center “If Eskinder were standing here, he’d accept this award, not just as a personal honour, but on behalf of all Ethiopian journalists who toil under withering conditions today.”