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Global crackdown: 361 journalists jailed amidst rising government repression and instability in 2024

Indian journalists hold placards during a candlelight vigil protest at the Mumbai Press Club following Police raid at houses of NewsClick colleagues, in Mumbai, India, 05 October 2023. Delhi Police's Special Cell searched 30 locations connected with online news portal NewsClick and its journalists in a case under the anti-terror law, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, with an allegation that NewsClick received money for pro-China propaganda on 03 October 2023. (Photo: EPA-EFE / DIVYAKANT SOLANKI)

By Nonkululeko Njilo

16 Jan 2025

A record number of journalists were imprisoned around the world in 2024, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists’ annual prison census. Once again, China is among the worst offenders against press freedom as it has reportedly intensified its use of anti-state charges against journalists.

As of 1 December 2024, 361 journalists were in prison worldwide, the second-highest number since 2022 when at least 370 were jailed for their work. The main reasons in 2024 were ongoing government crackdowns, war and political and economic instability.

The Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CPJ) annual report, released on Thursday, January 16, paints a grim picture of the state of journalism globally – 60% jailed worldwide faced broad anti-state charges, like terrorism or extremism.

These charges were common in countries such as Myanmar, Russia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Ethiopia, Egypt, Venezuela, Turkey, India and Bahrain.

In terms of the continents, Asia again had the most jailed journalists in 2024 – more than 30% (111) of the global total. Along with the top jailers – China, Myanmar, and Vietnam – journalists were also detained in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India and the Philippines.

In the 2023 survey, the committee found that Myanmar’s independent media have been devastated since the February 2021 military coup, when the junta moved swiftly to arrest journalists, shut news outlets and force journalists into exile. Almost three years later, journalists continue to be targeted under an anti-state provision broadly used to criminalise “incitement” and “false news”.

Journalists Jailed Chairperson of the Hong Kong Journalists Association Ronson Chan talks to reporters at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court in before his trial on 25 September 2023. Chan was charged with obstructing police officers while reporting on a residence meeting in a housing estate in September 2022. He was found guilty. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Bertha Wang)

Harsh sentences

Of the 361 currently jailed journalists, 54 are serving sentences of more than 10 years, 55 were imprisoned for five to 10 years and 62 face terms from one to five years. Many are from marginalised ethnic groups, who were reporting on their communities.

China

In November 2024, Chinese journalists Dong Yuyu and Sophia Huang Xueqin were each handed long prison sentences – seven and five years, respectively – on charges of espionage and “inciting subversion of state power”.

Read more: China court jails journalist for seven years on spy charges, family says

Yuyu had been detained in February 2022 while having lunch with a Japanese diplomat, while Xueqin has been in custody since September 2021.

In October 2024, Li Weizhong was arrested, also for inciting subversion.

In February 2024, a Beijing court handed the harshest penalty to Yang Hengjun – a suspended death sentence with the possibility of it being reduced to life imprisonment after two years of good behaviour.

A rise in attacks on journalists almost always precedes a rise in attacks on other freedoms.

Yang, a former Chinese diplomat who became a blogger and political commentator, had frequently shared his views on US-China relations, espionage and political reform through social media.

China has consistently ranked among the world’s top jailers of journalists in CPJ’s annual report. As of 1 December 2024, 50 were listed as imprisoned, though this figure is probably an undercount.

CPJ said Beijing’s widespread censorship and mass surveillance often pressure families to remain silent about arrests. The committee said this reflects China’s increasing crackdown on independent voices.

An Indian journalist at a candlelight vigil protest at the Mumbai Press Club following a police raid at houses of NewsClick colleagues, in Mumbai on 5 October 2023. Delhi Police’s Special Cell searched 30 locations connected with the online news portal and its journalists in a case under the anti-terror law, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, with an allegation that it received money for pro-China propaganda on 3 October 2023. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Divyakant Solanki)

Wake-up call

“These numbers should be a wake-up call for us all,” said CPJ chief executive Jodie Ginsberg.

“A rise in attacks on journalists almost always precedes a rise in attacks on other freedoms – the freedom to give and receive information, the freedom to assemble and move freely, the freedom to protest.”

“These journalists are being arrested and punished for exposing political corruption, environmental degradation, financial wrongdoing – all issues that matter to our day-to-day lives.”

Israel imprisonments spike

In the Middle East and North Africa, 108 journalists were imprisoned, nearly half of them by Israel. In 2024, United Nations legal experts found that Israel’s detention of three Palestinian journalists violated international law.

The committee has previously called on Israel to investigate the cases of these and others held in Israeli custody for long periods without charge, hold accountable those responsible for these rights violations, and provide compensation to journalists who have been arbitrarily detained.

Indian journalists attend a protest at the Mumbai Press Club in Mumbai on 5 October 2023, over charges brought against online news portal NewsClick and its journalists under an anti-terror law. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Divyakant Solanki)

Journalists in Mumbai protest against anti-terror charges levelled against NewsClick colleagues on 5 October 2023. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Divyakant Solanki)

Pressure on independent media

Turkey, with 11 journalists behind bars, is no longer among the top countries jailing journalists, but the pressure on independent media remains severe, the committee found.

In Nigeria, four journalists were in jail as of 1 December, while many others were attacked and detained while reporting on protests and civil unrest.

In Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean, where the number of jailings is lower than in other regions but where threats against journalism persist.

In Senegal, while one journalist was imprisoned, the situation escalated at the beginning of 2024 when at least 25 were targeted while covering political protests. They faced various forms of violence, including being attacked, detained and tear-gassed by security forces.

Many were arrested and assaulted while reporting on political demonstrations, highlighting a growing crackdown on the press in the country. The attack on journalists raised concerns about press freedom and the safety of reporters.

“This is also the case in Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean, where the number of jailings is lower than in other regions but where threats against journalism persist. Mexico, for example, has no journalists in jail but is one of the most dangerous places to be a journalist outside a war zone,” the committee said.

What now?

Addressing the imprisonment of journalists would remain a top priority for the committee as it offered financial support to help cover legal fees and provide resources to help journalists and newsrooms to prepare for or respond to legal threats and harassment.

The organisation also said it would actively advocate for the release of journalists whose cases could help reverse or slow the growing trend of criminalisation. DM

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