Report: 361 Journalists Imprisoned Worldwide in 2024

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that 361 journalists were imprisoned worldwide as of December 1, 2024, marking a slight decrease from the previous year but highlighting ongoing global repression. China, Israel, and Myanmar were identified as the leading offenders, with 50, 43, and 35 journalists jailed, respectively. Israel's significant rise in imprisoned journalists, all of whom are Palestinians, reflects a broader crackdown on media amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas, which has resulted in at least 165 journalist fatalities. CPJ's executive director emphasized that the trend of increasing journalist imprisonment often correlates with a decline in other civil liberties. The report also noted that authoritarian regimes in Belarus, Russia, and several Asian countries continue to contribute to the alarming figures of detained media professionals. The CPJ's findings serve as a critical reminder of the urgent need to protect press freedom globally.