Working as a journalist in Eritrea means having to censor oneself, being exposed to the terror of one of the world’s most tyrannical regimes and living in a climate that is oppressive in every way.

Biniam Simon, a well known presenter on Eritrea’s state TV, decided during a work trip to Japan in 2006 not to return to a country that is “a prison camp for journalists.” In Japan, he contacted Reporters Without Borders, which arranged for him to travel to France. There, he set about trying to create a radio station that would broadcast uncensored news to Eritrea.

Reporters Without Borders helped him to find the necessary equipment and funding. Radio Erena, Eritrea’s first independent radio station, was launched in 2009. Reporters Without Borders continues to support this project, which beams freely reported news and information into this closed country every day by satellite from France.