About Nebiyu Eyassu
For more than half a century, Nebiyu Eyassu has stood as one of Ethiopia’s most enduring journalistic voices — a witness to history, a storyteller of courage, and a believer in the promise of his country.
A Lifetime in Journalism
Born and raised in Ethiopia, Nebiyu began his career in 1972 as a young reporter and translator for Addis Zemen, the nation’s leading daily newspaper. His sharp curiosity and dedication to truth quickly set him apart. Within a few years, he rose through the ranks to become senior reporter, sub-editor, editor, and eventually Deputy Editor-in-Chief.
Across five decades, Nebiyu reported from the front lines of civil wars in northern Ethiopia and the border conflict with Somalia. He spent days in jail accused of “inciting the public” — a reflection of his refusal to compromise his principles. As both journalist and citizen, he chronicled Ethiopia’s most turbulent years with honesty, empathy, and conviction.
Storyteller Across Mediums
Nebiyu’s work spanned print, television, and film. He served as Program Producer and Head of Programming at Ethiopian Television, contributed as a columnist for Topia newspaper, and later became Editor-in-Chief of Africa Qend magazine.
Over the years, he has authored six books and produced dozens of documentary films exploring Ethiopia’s history, politics, society, and culture. His hundreds of interviews captured the voices of the nation’s most prominent figures from the 1960s through the 1990s — a living chronicle of Ethiopia’s modern identity.
Exile and Continuity
After completing advanced studies in the United States on Investigative Reporting in the U.S., Nebiyu chose to remain in exile as a political asylee, continuing his lifelong mission to inform, educate, and inspire.
In America, he produced and hosted programs for Ethiopian Television Network (ETN) and Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT), remaining an active voice in Ethiopia’s public discourse from abroad.
He has traveled across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States as a correspondent, researcher, and participant in journalism seminars. He has also presented papers on media freedom and the challenges facing journalism in the 21st century — always guided by the belief that the press must serve the public good.
A Vision for Ethiopia:
“What has always impressed me day in and day out is the unity of the Ethiopian people against all odds — their courage, compassion, and perseverance at the worst of times. Ethiopia remains an uneasy blend of hope and tragedy. Yet with peace, democracy, and justice, it can still be reborn.”
— Nebiyu Eyassu
A Legacy Preserved
This website serves as a living archive of Nebiyu Eyassu’s life and work — an invitation to reflect, to learn, and to rediscover Ethiopia’s story through the eyes of a man who never stopped believing in its future.