NEW YORK — An estimated 320 journalists around the world were jailed for their work by the end of 2023, according to a report released Thursday by the Committee to Protect Journalists, calling it a disturbing attempt to stifle independent voices.
That is the second-highest number of imprisoned journalists since the commission began its annual census in 1992. It is down from 367 in 2022, mainly due to the release of many in Iran, on bail or awaiting sentencing, the commission said.
“Our research shows how entrenched authoritarianism is worldwide, with governments encouraged to stamp out critical reporting and avoid public accountability,” said Jodie Ginsberg, the commission’s CEO.
According to CPJ’s Dec. 1, 2023, census, more than a third of journalists in prison were in China, Myanmar and Belarus, the report said.
Israel is tied with Iran for sixth place, the country’s highest ranking ever on CPJ’s annual list. Each of the 17 held in Israel at the time of the census were Palestinians arrested in the West Bank since the war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, the report said.
Twelve of the seventeen non-local journalists imprisoned around the world, according to CPJ, were detained in Russia. Among them are two American citizens: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, both of whom are in pre-trial detention.