Thread by @althecat

FWIW @GetachewSS definitely is a journalist. And in my opinion a fine one.

Also there is a broader point here which it is important for people to understand. Journalists are not combatants and should not be treated as such. Freelance journalists like @getachewss have no safety net, and their job in a place like Ethiopia in a war is inherently dangerous.

Earning a living as a journalist as @GetachewSS does is also very difficult. Editors are not easy people to deal with and it’s easy to get black listed or cut off for very silly reasons.

The TPLF/Ethiopia conflict is possibly the biggest minefield, in journalism terms, ever.

It is both hugely high stakes and important in life and death terms, and insanely polarized in both the media and social media.

For Ethiopia I have seen @GetachewSS speak the truth bravely in the crucible of the fire on multiple occasions.

Ethiopia has had some terrible experiences with truly terrible journalism during this past year. And it is right that these have been called out in the manner that they have. This is as necessary for @nimaelbagir etc.

But this instance doesn’t rise near that level of concern.