Journalists die at high rates while
covering protests in the Arab world and elsewhere. Photographers and
freelancers appear vulnerable. Pakistan is again the deadliest nation. A CPJ special report
Committee to Protect Journalists
Special Reports
Worldwide prison tally reaches 15-year high
CPJ's worldwide census of imprisoned journalists finds 179 reporters, editors, and photojournalists behind bars, an increase of more than 20 percent over last year and the highest tally since 1996. Iran is the world's worst jailer of the press, with 42 behind bars.
• Database of the imprisoned
• Video: Freeing Fatullayev
• العربية • Français
• CPJ Blog: China • Ethiopia
• Database of the imprisoned
• Video: Freeing Fatullayev
• العربية • Français
• CPJ Blog: China • Ethiopia
Reports
| Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Somalia, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Vietnam, Yemen
In "Banding Together: The Chauncey Bailey Project Fights Impunity," CPJ’s Maria Salazar-Ferro describes how a group of Bay Area journalists worked together to ensure that the murder of their colleague did not go unpunished. Using investigative journalism as an advocacy tool, the Bailey Project held authorities accountable and brought about the conviction of the mastermind. (3:05)
Please read the CPJ special report on journalists killed and visit our database of reporters, editors, photojournalists, and others who have given their lives for their work.
Reports
| Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Burma, Burundi, China, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, India, Iran, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ivory Coast, Journalist Assistance, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Morocco, Rwanda, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen
Stark regional differences are seen as jailings grow significantly in the Middle East and North Africa. Dozens of journalists are held without charge, many in secret prisons. A CPJ special report
In this video companion to CPJ's 2011 census of imprisoned journalists, Azerbaijani editor Eynulla Fatullayev describes his own time in prison and how international advocacy can make a difference in winning the freedom of jailed reporters, editors, photojournalists, and bloggers. (4:47)
Read the special report "Imprisonments jump worldwide” and view our database of journalists in prison.
Prosecutors say every lead has been pursued, every witness questioned in the slayings of editors Valery Ivanov and Aleksei Sidorov. But no one has ever been convicted, and no one can explain what investigators did with the most compelling lead. A CPJ special report by Nina Ognianova
Thein Sein’s new civilian government has promised reform, but authorities continue to censor and imprison journalists. Those who report for critical, exile-run media remain at great risk. A CPJ special report by Shawn W. Crispin
In "Burma's undercover heroes," CPJ's Shawn Crispin describes the vital work being done by reporters for the Democratic Voice of Burma. Working undercover in a highly restricted nation, these journalists are the eyes and ears for the rest of world. They work at great risk of imprisonment and harassment. (2:30)
Read our accompanying special report, "In Burma, transition neglects press freedom."
A conflicted European Union considers a new approach toward Burma. Press freedom advocates and human rights defenders are wary. By Jean-Paul Marthoz
As international donors examine their priorities in light of Burma’s new regime, exile-run news media face potential cutbacks. The most critical news reporting on the long-closed nation may be endangered. By Aung Zaw
Published September 20, 2011
Burma has a long record of jailing independent journalists, ranking among the world’s five worst jailers of the press for four consecutive years, CPJ research shows. Journalists are typically charged with violating the country’s censorship laws, among the strictest in the world, or engaging in “antistate” activities such as disseminating information to the outside world.
