I work as an independent journalist with different assignments related to media, journalism, culture, politics and civil society in Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Uganda and Denmark. Currently, I'm also a student at Centre for African Studies in Copenhagen, the two-year postgraduate full-time study programme leading to a Masters degree.
In 2000 I moved to Serbia to co-establish the Next Stop Serbia campaign aiming at breaking down stereotypes between Serbs and Danes by promoting civic action and creativity by making people collaborate via personal interests. During the same period of time I also worked with the establishment of South Eastern European Youth Network, enabling ex-Yugoslavian youth joining across new borders.
I lived in West Nile in Northern Uganda from 2005-7 where I worked with South Sudanese refugees and civic education along and across the border to Sudan. I moved on to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania working as information officer for an international NGO for 2½ years.
I've written for Global Voices since about 2008. Mainly on issues related to East Africa and South Sudan.
Latest posts by Pernille Baerendtsen
An earthquake shook Tanzania. A new law prohibits citizens from speaking about it online.
Revised online content regulations in Tanzania prohibit talking about pandemics, natural disasters or politics without government approval. Is it possible to control essential online conversations? If so, at what cost?
Leading independent websites go dark as Tanzania’s ‘blogger tax’ deadline approaches
"It is not only a self-censorship license but a way to become the state's tool to censor others (contributors) civic right to express."
Will Tanzanian Bloggers Pay Up or Push Back Against ‘Blogger Tax'?
In Tanzania, where media historically holds strong ties to government interests, blogging opened up possibilities for individuals to establish private news outlets that proved immensely powerful.
South Sudanese Journalists Face Increasing Threats as Political Violence Peaks
Journalists have long struggled to survive in Sudan and South Sudan, but the impact of the conflict that erupted in 2013 has made working in media even more dangerous.
Message to an Ethiopian Blogger: Mahlet Fantahun, You Are Not Alone
"Writing one single blog post is not going to bring Mahlet... out of Kaliti Prison. This is much rather about keeping the process going. Of not staying silent."