on April 30 2025 marks the beginning of a politically charged trial in Ankara, where Swedish journalist and author Joakim Medin stands accused of “insulting the president” — a charge that carries a potential sentence of up to three years in prison under Turkey’s controversial penal code.
Medin, widely respected for his investigative work in conflict zones and authoritarian states, has consistently reported on issues ranging from Kurdish autonomy and Syrian politics to media repression. His commitment to speaking truth to power has placed him at the front lines of some of the world’s most dangerous and politically sensitive stories.
The trial is being closely watched by international observers, journalists, and human rights defenders, many of whom view the proceedings as part of a broader crackdown on press freedom in Turkey. Over the past decade, Turkey has imprisoned scores of journalists under similar laws — drawing criticism from the European Union, Amnesty International, Reporters Without Borders, and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
“This case is not only about Joakim Medin. It’s about the global state of journalism, freedom of expression, and democratic accountability,” said Kidus Tekleyohannes, Editor-in-Chief of Ambassador Media.
“Medin is being prosecuted for doing what every ethical journalist must do: asking hard questions, reporting uncomfortable truths, and holding the powerful to account. We at Ambassador Media stand unequivocally with Joakim Medin. Journalism is not a crime — it is a public service.”
The threats to journalism seen in Turkey are not isolated. In Ethiopia, where Ambassador Media was based, journalists continue to face intimidation, arrest, and censorship for reporting on conflict, politics, and human rights abuses.
Despite Ethiopia’s 2018 promise of reform, the last few years have seen a troubling rollback of media freedoms. Journalists covering sensitive topics, particularly in regions like Tigray, Oromia, and Amhara, have been detained under anti-terrorism laws and sweeping state-of-emergency declarations.
International human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and CPJ, have repeatedly condemned the repression of independent journalism in Ethiopia, warning that a free press is essential to democratic progress and peace building.
A Call to Action
As Joakim Medin’s trial proceeds, Ambassador Media joins growing calls for:
- The immediate dismissal of all charges against Medin.
- The release of detained journalists in both Turkey and Ethiopia.
- The repeal or reform of repressive media laws, such as Turkey’s Article 299 and Ethiopia’s vague anti-terrorism provisions.
- International pressure and solidarity to protect journalists and the right to free expression.
#FreeJoakimMedin
#FreeEthiopianJournalists
#JournalismIsNotACrime