Numerous regimes and administrations around the world throw journalists in prison to censor reporting that challenges the state’s ideas and legislation. Such regimes are thus able to control information and public opinion. According to a report from the nonprofit organization Reporters Without Borders, 779 journalists were imprisoned in 2023, of which 547 are still behind bars or under house arrest.
Once again, China remains the country that has imprisoned the most journalists since January. Xi Jinping's regime has detained 121 journalists, and a total of 135 have been held for at least 48 hours in prison.
Next is Myanmar, which has imprisoned 69 journalists, followed by Belarus, where President Aleksandr Lukashenko has stripped 39 of their freedom. In Iran there are 21 informants locked up and, in Turkey, 5.
In Russia, which made notable arrests such as Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reporter Alsou Kurmasheva, 34 total journalists have been imprisoned by Vladimir Putin's regime.
45 journalists murdered
Reporters Without Borders also collected data on journalists murdered in 2023. This year, 45 journalists were killed while performing their jobs. This figure is lower than in 2022 (61) and the lowest since 2002.
There were also 54 journalists captured as hostages, 38 in Syria, nine in Iraq, four in Yemen, two in Mali and one in Mexico. There are also 84 whose whereabouts are unknown. Of these, more than half were reported missing in Latin America.
