The Erased: hero stories Collapse

"This highlights how essential it is to draw international attention to press freedom and the impact of censorship in authoritarian regimes, so that the truth can continue to find its way to the public through the media."

"Censorship sweeps vital stories under the carpet, while the world needs to know."

"We must continue to help each other, support each other and fight with each other against the rotten parts of the world."

"I encourage our colleagues in prison to keep brave. Those of us who are free will continue to advocate for their release."

"Censorship prevents millions of people from receiving accurate information about what is happening in their countries and around the world."

"It is vital that dictators are exposed. This is the only way we can correct the flaws in the entrenched social systems and move towards a better world for all."

"The greatest support would be to express solidarity to journalists, and to make my case, and those of all journalists who are on trial, known to the public."

"I want to tell the stories that some would rather not be told. It is these stories that bring the truth to the surface."

"On the last day of my investigation in this area, I was taken by some soldiers from my hostel to the office of the chief soldier."

"All journalists whose rights are violated should be given help. If the censorship is not stopped, the journalists and their stories will be erased. Journalists are mirrors of society and that is precisely why they are so important to this world."

"We were threatened. Not with prosecution, but with death. They pointed guns at our heads and claimed they would shoot us."

"Being wrongfully accused opened my eyes to the dangers journalists face everyday. My experience, though both terrifying and infuriating, pales in comparison to what many reporters around the world are enduring - and just for doing their jobs."

"Over the past six months, I have faced all kinds of physical and legal harassment, death threats and endless persecution. The judges were biased and completely corrupt."