Imprisoned journalists break global record at 293

MANILA, Philippines — At least 293 journalists in different parts of the world are currently in prison because of their work a new record that indicates a bleak year for press freedom defenders, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said.

The CPJ’s annual prison census showed that the number of imprisoned journalists increased from 280 last year. China remained the “world’s worst jailer of journalists” for the third year in a row with 50 behind bars.

Myanmar, which has 26 journalists in prison, soared to second spot after the media crackdown following the Feb. 1 military coup that also toppled the democratically elected government.

In third place is Egypt with 25, followed by Vietnam (23), Belarus (19), Turkey (18), Eritrea (16), Russia (14), Saudi Arabia (14) and Iran (11).

The Philippines is also among 37 countries identified as having at least one journalist in prison this year.

Frenciemae Cumpio, executive director of the Eastern Vista news website and a radio news anchor in Tacloban City, has been in detention since February last year on charges of illegal possession of firearms.

Her lawyers deny the allegations, with various organizations including the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) calling for her release.

“This is the sixth year in a row that CPJ has documented record numbers of journalists imprisoned around the world. The number reflects two inextricable challenges – governments are determined to control and manage information, and they are increasingly brazen in their efforts to do so,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon.

“Imprisoning journalists for reporting the news is the hallmark of an authoritarian regime. It’s distressing to see many countries on the list year after year, but it is especially horrifying that Myanmar and Ethiopia have so brutally slammed the door on press freedom,” he added.

CPJ’s prison census accounts only for journalists in government custody and does not include those who have disappeared or are held captive by non-state actors.

It only includes those known to be incarcerated as of Dec. 1, and does not include those imprisoned and released throughout the year.

In addition to those imprisoned, CPJ said at least 24 journalists were killed because of their coverage so far this year, with 18 others dying “in circumstances too murky to determine whether they were specific targets.”

The list does not include Pampanga-based journalist Jess Malabanan, who was shot dead in Calbayog City, Samar last Wednesday.

The Philippines ranks Seventh in CPJ’s Global Impunity Index, making it one of the worst countries for journalists in the world.