CPJ Releases its 2009 Prison Census: Freelance journalists under fire

The Committee to Protect Journalists today released a series of reports on journalists in prison around the globe. One finding reflects changes in the media industry in recent years: freelancers now make up nearly 45% of all journalists jailed worldwide. CPJ found a total of 136 reporters, editors, and photojournalists behind bars on Dec. 1, compared with 125 a year earlier. The worldwide increase was fueled by a massive crackdown in Iran, where 23 journalists are now in jail. China, Cuba, Eritrea and Burma round out the top five nations of jailed journalists.

To see CPJ’s report “Freelance journalists under fire,” click here. CPJ’s web site also features a video report at http://cpj.org/reports/2009/12/video-behind-bars-not-alone-cpj-prison-census.php and graphic depictions of the census at http://cpj.org/imprisoned/2009.php.