Reeyot Alemu

Ethiopian human rights activist who championed democracy despite imprisonment and persecution

Reeyot Alemu is a prominent Ethiopian journalist and democracy advocate whose courageous activism has made a profound difference in East Africa's human rights landscape. Despite facing prolonged imprisonment (2011-2017) under Ethiopia's authoritarian regime, she continued her fight for press freedom and democratic reforms through her writings published in exile. Her blog Hulumma became a beacon of hope for many, exposing government corruption and advocating for women's rights. Recently awarded the 2022 Democracy Spring Prize, her 2023 TED Talk Press Freedom as a Lifeline for Democracy reached over 2 million viewers globally. She currently operates Freedom Press Initiative, training journalists in digital security techniques, which has directly impacted over 1,500 practitioners across 12 African countries.