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293 jailed in 2021 – Global issues

Journalists in Zambia protest against attacks on the media. Credit: Kelvin Kachingwe / IPS
  • Idea by Gypsy Guillen Kaiser (New York)
  • Joint press service

As conspiracy theories and facts have spread to the public, it’s clear that we need reliable, independent information. We need journalists – the kind of people who have the power to account and whose reporting serves as the foundation for democracy. However, such journalists often face relentless, targeted attacks.

For 40 years, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has been assessing the state of press freedom around the world, and by 2021, data speak for itself. A record number of journalists are jailed: at least 293. CPJ also found that at least 24 journalists were killed in 2021 for their reporting.

Another eighteen people died under circumstances too murky to determine whether they were specifically targeted for their journalism. In tandem with expert partners, courageous journalists and allied officials, we are pushing the boundaries of change for a free and fearless media.

Ours #FreeThePress The campaign, more important than ever, will be revamped in 2022 to push for an end to these prisons. You can preview the RiskLegal network for journalists.

We know that we can win when we fight together. Last year, CPJ helped free 101 jailed journalists, the most we’ve ever had helped for free. This includes nearly 40 journalists released from prisons in the Middle East and North Africa and 21 journalists released in Europe and Central Asia – specifically in Turkey.

Part of our job is to uncover the truth about journalist murders and promote justice. In response to persistent punishment, together with partner groups, we embarked on People’s Court of Journalist Murder, an alternative means of justice to hold governments and perpetrators accountable.

In 2022, we expect case hearings and six cold case investigations that could open a path towards justice. We need a Safer World for Truth, as our project is called. Watch this short documentary film to find out why it’s important.

Among the victories that give us hope are the steps taken to stop the use Spyware to target journalists and others. Immediately after CPJ briefed the US State Department of the threat, the administration placed export control on several providers.

EU also adopted child a regulation on the export of dual-use surveillance technology by companies based in the European Union to prevent undue targeting by journalists and others. We will continue to campaign to stop the weaponization of technology around the world.

The historic crisis in Afghanistan requires collective effort of everyone at CPJ. We’ve been knocking on doors and trying to win the support of diplomats around the world, sometimes with deeply disappointed.

However, we are satisfied by Successful evacuation of many journalists and our ongoing work to keep the remaining Afghan press crews safe. Our experience with the Afghanistan crisis provides valuable lessons for our future advocacy.

One year started with journalists brutally attacked at the Capitol riots in Washington, DC on January 6, culminating in a celebration of two journalists that CPJ has long protected and cherished – Dmitry Muratov and Maria Ressa – who is honored with Nobel Peace Prize.

Change takes time but it is Necessary. We have grounds for gratitude and hope. In a world of polarization and fear, solid journalism – journalism that helps us make informed decisions and select leaders who best represent our interests – will prevail. .

Thank you for standing with journalists and standing with us to protect and uphold our vital freedoms.

Gypsy Guillen Kaiser is Director of Communications and Advocacy at the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).


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© Inter Press Service (2022) – All rights reservedOrigin: Inter Press Service

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