5:26pm Thursday 1st May 2008
By Elizabeth Pears
Abebe Gellaw fled Ethiopia in search of freedom of speech. Elizabeth pears talks to the Haringey man who has been honoured with a fellowship at a top US university
Every working day for Abebe Gellaw was spent in fear that each shift could be his last.
Mr Gellaw, now 35, worked as journalist in his birthplace of Ethiopia, East Africa, a country with a corrupt government at its helm and one that takes criticism very badly.
Being killed or thrown in jail for asking too many questions is a real possibility.
And Mr Gellaw found he had no choice but to leave.
He said: "If I was in Ethiopia I would either be in jail or dead.
"It is hard being away from your family and your country but you cannot be a real journalist in Ethiopia.
"Journalists are supposed to be the advocators of human rights but we do not have the basic right of freedom of speech."
After nearly eight years of living in exile, separated from a country he loves but despairs about, Mr Gellaw has been given the honour of becoming an International Knight Fellow at America's prestigious Stanford University for the work he has done on his online publication, Addis Voice.
The pro-democracy website addisvoice.com was founded in 2006 with the aim of giving "a voice to the voiceless".
It concentrates on African politics with a particular focus on Ethiopia.
Contributions come from estranged African journalists around the world who have left their homes to evade persecution in search of what they crave - freedom of expression.
Mr Gellaw, who spent time working at Reuters and holds a degree in political science and international relations, said: "The internet is empowering. It makes the narrative of the world much richer even through simple things like blogs.
"I am just an ordinary journalist but the internet has given me an amazing opportunity. I can tell untold stories and speak up for those who cannot be heard."
During his one-year stay at Stanford, California, Mr Gellaw will pursue an independent course of study focusing on developing and supporting websites like Addis Voice.
He will also participate in seminars with fellow journalists.
Mr Gellaw said: "I am very much looking forward to it. Some of the most reputable US journalists are coming from the Washington Post and Newsweek and I will be able to learn from them. It's a golden opportunity."
This is the 43rd year Stanford has offered fellowships for journalists.
Mr Gellaw is one of nine International Knight Fellows chosen who will join 12 US journalists nominated as Knights Fellows.
After leaving his job at the Ethiopian Herald, one of few newspapers in written in English, Mr Gellaw moved to Seven Sisters where he took a job teaching English as second language at the College of North East London, High Road, Tottenham.
He said: "The role of a teacher and that of a journalist go hand-in-hand. The best way to teach someone is to inform them of what is going on. I am proud to have the opportunity to embrace two great professions - though journa- lism will always be my passion."
About the British media, Mr Gellaw said: "Some papers are quick to judge immigrants, but not those governments who destabilise the countries they are forced to flee from.
"The ones who sell them arms that are used in civil wars."
He adds: "These are the kinds of things you cannot say in Ethiopia. Criticising the government is treason in their very narrow minds.
"But a journalist must represent the people. Particularly those who cannot tell their stories as honestly as they would like."
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