CPJ reports jailed journalists worldwide
In its annual global survey, found at least 274 journalists in jail.
Jerusalem24 – According to the Committee to Protect Journalists “CPJ”, a record number of journalists were imprisoned globally for their work in 2020 as authoritarian nations arrested many covering COVID-19 or political instability. Amid the pandemic, governments delayed trials, restricted visitors, and disregarded the increased health risk in prison; at least two journalists died after contracting the disease in custody.
In its annual global survey, found at least 274 journalists in jail in relation to their work on December 1, 2020, exceeding the high of 272 in 2016. China, which arrested several journalists for their coverage of the pandemic, was the world’s worst jailer for the second year in a row. It was followed by Turkey, which continues to try journalists free on parole and arrest new ones; Egypt, which went to great lengths to keep custody of journalists not convicted of any crime; and Saudi Arabia. Countries where the number of jailed journalists rose significantly include Belarus, where mass protests have ensued over the disputed re-election of the long-time president, and Ethiopia, where political unrest has degenerated into armed conflict.
This marks the fifth consecutive year that repressive governments have imprisoned at least 250 journalists. Lack of global leadership on democratic values – particularly from the United States, where President Donald Trump has inexhaustibly denigrated the press and cozied up to dictators such as Egyptian President Abdelfattah el-Sisi -has perpetuated the crisis. As authoritarians leveraged Trump’s “fake news” rhetoric to justify their actions – particularly in Egypt – the number of journalists jailed on “false news” charges steadily increased. This year, 34 journalists were jailed for “false news,” compared with 31 last year.
CPJ just released its 2020 prison census. On Dec. 1, at least 274 journalists were jailed worldwide–a record high.
These are the worst jailers & how many journalists they have jailed:#China 47#Turkey 37#Egypt 27#SaudiArabia 24#Eritrea 16https://t.co/MgX9C81Qnk pic.twitter.com/JBimZ340uM
— Committee to Protect Journalists (@pressfreedom) December 15, 2020
