Thursday, December 24, 2009
Committee to Protect Journalists Annual Report on Imprisoned Reporters
On December 8, 2009, The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1981, released its annual census of journalists imprisoned around the world. As of December 1st, 136 reporters, editors, and photojournalists behind bars were being held, many without trial.
This year, freelancers make up 45% of the tally. This is an increase over 2008. China again holds the record for being the world’s worst jailer of journalists, a dubious distinction it has retained for 11 years in a row. Iran, Cuba, Eritrea, and Burma round out the top five countries which currently have reporters behing bars. Iran alone has imprisoned 23.
The CPJ says:
CPJ’s list is a snapshot of those incarcerated at midnight on December 1, 2009. It does not include the many journalists imprisoned and released throughout the year. Journalists remain on CPJ’s list until the organization determines with reasonable certainty that they have been released or have died in custody.
Journalists who either disappear or are abducted by nonstate entities, including criminal gangs, rebels, or militant groups, are not included on the imprisoned list. Their cases are classified as “missing” or “abducted.”
Related CPJ Links:
Database of all imprisoned journalists
Detailed accounts of each imprisoned journalist
How to help journalists in prison
Follow CPJ on Twitter - @pressfreedom
