The ‘CNN African Journalist of the Year Competition’ awarded Woubshet Taye last Saturday.

Wubshet Taye was deputy editor of the Awramba Times. He is currently in prison for conviction on terror related charges.

According to AwrambaTimes, Wubshet’s wife received the award on his behalf.

Read the announcement posted on CNN website below.

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Woubshet Taye, Ethiopia

Winner: Free Press Africa Award

Bio: Woubshet Taye is imprisoned in Ethiopia, after being sentenced under anti-terrorism laws. He was convicted for his work as the deputy editor of the Awramba Times. Sentenced to 14 years imprisonment, earlier this year he was moved to a facility far from his family.

Judge’s Citation: “This year, sadly, the judges had too much choice in a category we hoped would diminish as the continent of Africa grows and takes her rightful place at the table of nations. But there are still too many hot spots where the media is not free. In the final assessment, we have decided to make the award to Woubshet Taye. Mr. Taye, who is imprisoned in Ethiopia after being sentenced under anti-terrorism laws, was convicted for his work as the deputy editor of the Awramba Times. Ethiopia is a jewel in the African crown for its beauty, its people, its history and, most recently, for its astounding growth rates. It is our view that journalists like Mr. Taye should be out of prison and working to build the prosperity and the freedom of a new Ethiopia.”

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