,,iii  #aag? ,,congress  #b;d ,session  
,s4 ,,res4 #fji  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!
 ,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,may #c1 #bjbb,mr4    
,m55dez 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,rubio1 ,mr4   
,ka9e1 ,mr4 ,tillis1 ,mr4 ,c>d91 ,mr4   
,moran1 ,mr4 ,coons1 ,mr4 ,cornyn1 ,mr4 
,m]kley1 & ,mr4 ,van ,holl57 submitt$ ! 
foll[+ resolution2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to !    
,committee on ,=eign ,relations         
,,resolution  ,recogniz+ wid5+ ?reats to
 press fre$om & free expression ar\nd ! 
_w1 & reaffirm+ ! vital role t a free & 
indep5d5t press plays 9 combat+ ! gr[+  
?reat ( au?orit>ianism1 c\nt]+          
mis9=mation & dis9=mation1 docum5t+     
human rights abuses1 in=m+ local &      
int]national audi5ces ab\t public heal? 
crises1 & fur!r+ disc\rse & debate to   
advance heal?y democracies1 9           
commemoration ( ,_w ,press ,fre$om ,day 
on ,may #c1 #bjbb4  ,:]eas ,?omas       
,jeff]son1 :o *ampion$ ! necessity ( a  
free press = a ?riv+ democratic society1
 wisely decl>$1 ,our lib]ty dep5ds on ! 
fre$om ( ! press1 & t _c be limit$ )\t  

be+ lo/42 ,:]eas ,article #ai ( ! ,unit$
 ,nations ,univ]sal ,decl>ation ( ,human
 ,rights1 adopt$ 9 ,p>is on ,decemb]    
#aj1 #aidh1 /ates1 8,ev]yone has ! "r to
 fre$om ( op9ion & expression2 ?is "r   
includes fre$om to hold op9ions )\t     
int]f]5ce & to seek1 receive & imp>t    
in=mation & ideas ?r\gh any m$ia &      
reg>dless ( fronti]s402 ,:]eas 9 #aiic1 
! ,unit$ ,nations ,g5]al ,assembly      
proclaim$ ! ?ird day ( ,may ( ea* ye> to
 be 8,_w ,press ,fre$om ,day0-- 7#a7 to 
celebrate ! fundam5tal pr9ciples ( press
 fre$om2  7#b7 to evaluate press fre$om 
ar\nd ! _w2  7#c7 to def5d ! m$ia aga9/ 
attacks on its indep5d5ce2 &  7#d7 to   
pay tribute to j\rnali/s :o h lo/ _!    
lives :ile work+ 9 _! pr(ession2 ,:]eas 
! ,daniel ,pe>l ,fre$om ( ! ,press ,act 
( #bjji 7,public ,law #aaa-aff7 exp&$ ! 
exam9ation ( ! fre$om ( ! press ar\nd ! 
_w 9 ! annual ,c\ntry ,reports on ,human
 ,rights ,practices publi%$ by !        
,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate2 ,:]eas1 on ,decemb]  
#ah1 #bjac1 & ,decemb] #ah1 #bjai1 !    

,unit$ ,nations ,g5]al ,assembly adopt$ 
,resolution #fh_/afc & ,resolution      
#gd_/aeg1 respectively1 on ! safety (   
j\rnali/s & ! problem ( impunity by     
unequivocally condemn+ all attacks on1 &
 viol5ce aga9/1 j\rnali/s & m$ia work]s1
 includ+ torture1 extrajudicial kill+1  
en=c$ disappe>ance1 arbitr>y det5tion1 &
 intimidation & h>assm5t 9 conflict &   
non-conflict situations2 ,:]eas ! ,fir/ 
,am5dm5t to ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,con/itution
 & v>i\s ,/ate con/itutions protect     
fre$om ( ! press 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates2     
,:]eas ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t has us$
 ! ,global ,magnitsky ,human ,rights    
,acc\ntability ,act 7subtitle ,f ( title
 ,,xii ( ,public ,law #aad-cbh7 to place
 t>get$ visa & economic sanctions on    
individuals1 includ+ = _! roles 9 !     
t>get$ kill+s ( j\rnali/s2 ,:]eas1 9 an 
ef=t to combat attacks aga9/ j\rnali/s1 
,secret>y ( ,/ate ,antony ,j4 ,bl9k5 9  
,febru>y #bjba ann\nc$ ! ,kha%oggi ,ban1
 a new policy all[+ ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate 
to impose visa re/rictions on           

individuals :o1 act+ on behalf ( a =eign
 gov]nm5t1 are believ$ to h be5 directly
 engag$ 9 s]i\s1 extrat]ritorial        
c\nt]-dissid5t activities1 includ+      
activities t suppress1 h>ass1 surveil1  
?reat51 or h>m j\rnali/s1 activi/s1 or  
o!r p]sons p]ceiv$ to be dissid5ts = _! 
"w2 ,:]eas ! #bjba ,_w ,press ,fre$om   
,index1 compil$ by ,report]s ,)\t       
,bord]s1 w>ns t ! ,,covid-#ai p&emic    
illu/rates ! negative factors ?reat5+ ! 
"r to reliable in=mation & amplifies !  
_m crises t ?reat5 m$ia fre$om &        
pluralism2 ,:]eas ! ,fre$om 9 ! ,_w     
#bjbb report1 publi%$ by ,fre$om ,h\se1 
m>k$ ! #af? consecutive ye> ( decl9e 9  
global fre$om1 ) "s #ch p]c5t ( ! global
 population liv+ 9 ,n ,free c\ntries1 ! 
highe/ proportion s9ce #aiig1 & !       
organization's ,fre$om on ! ,net #bjba  
report id5tifi$ #aa consecutive ye>s (  
decl9e 9 int]net fre$om2 ,:]eas wors5+  
m$ia fre$om has be5 "o ( ! key driv]s ( 
^! global decl9es1 includ+ attacks &    
prosecutions aga9/ j\rnali/s1 pressure  

on m$ia outlets1 repressive regulatory &
 legal frameworks1 int]net %utd[ns1 &   
blocks on onl9e s\rces ( in=mation2     
,:]eas1 accord+ to ! ,committee to      
,protect ,j\rnali/s-- 7#a7 at lea/ #bg  
j\rnali/s 7 kill$ 9 #bjba1 #ba ( :om 7  
s+l$ out 9 retaliation = _! "w2  7#b7   
,india & ,mexico _h ! mo/ retaliatory   
kill+s 9 #bjba2  7#c7 at lea/ #bic      
j\rnali/s 7 imprison$ 9 relation to _!  
"w on ,decemb] #a1 #bjba1 m>k+ ! six?   
consecutive ye> t at lea/ #bej j\rnali/s
 7 imprison$ globally2  7#d7 ,*9a1      
,myanm>1 ,egypt1 ,vietnam1 ,bel>us1 &   
,turkey 7 responsible = ne>ly #ej p]c5t 
( all jail$ j\rnali/s worldwide2 &  7#e7
 j\rnali/s ar\nd ! _w h be5 t>get$ by   
sophi/icat$ spyw>e products t pose a    
sev]e risk to _! safety & ! safety ( _! 
s\rces2 ,:]eas ! ,fre$om to ,write      
,index #bjba1 publi%$ by ,,p5 ,am]ica1  
not$ t at lea/ #bgg writ]s & public     
intellectuals1 includ+ columni/s &      
editorial j\rnali/s1 7 jail$ across #cf 
diff]5t c\ntries dur+ #bjba2 ,:]eas1    

accord+ to ,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s1 #cfb 
j\rnali/s1 #ic citiz5 j\rnali/s1 & #bj  
m$ia assi/ants 7 imprison$ z ( ,april   
#bb1 #bjbb2 ,:]eas s9ce ! />t (         
,russia's full-scale (f5sive aga9/      
,ukra9e1 ,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s has     
docum5t$ attacks directly t>get+        
j\rnali/s we>+ a ,press armb& includ+-- 
7#a7 ! kill+ ( #g j\rnali/s2  7#b7 !    
torture by electric %ock1 beat+s1 & mock
 executions ( j\rnali/s work+ = !       
int]national press2 &  7#c7 ! t>get$    
kidnapp+s ( j\rnali/s & _! families 9   
occupi$ regions ( ,ukra9e to put        
pressure on _! report+2 ,:]eas 9 !      
,ukra9ian t]ritory ( ,crimea1 ,ukra9ian 
j\rnali/s & blogg]s h repeat$ly be5     
?reat5$1 arbitr>ily arre/$1 & tortur$ = 
resi/+ ,russian occupation1 su* z !     
det5tion ( ,crimean j\rnali/ ,vladyslav 
,yesip5ko & ,crimean ,tat> j\rnali/s    
,osman ,arifmemetov1 ,ru/em ,%eikhaliev1
 & ,remzi ,bekirov2 ,:]eas m$ia work]s  
face height5$ dang]s 9 ,russia1 lead+ up
 to & foll[+ draconian c5sor%ip laws    

pass$ 9 ! wake ( ,russia's full-scale   
invasion ( ,ukra9e h int5sifi$ already  
wide spread h>assm5t1 repression1 &     
gov]nm5t-driv5 retaliation1 includ+ 9 ! 
cases (-- 7#a7 ,s]gey ,mikhaylov1       
publi%] ( indep5d5t newspap] ,li/ok1 :o 
0 arre/$ = spread+ fakes ab\t ! ,russian
 milit>y2  7#b7 ,mikhail ,afanasyev1    
editor-9-*ief ( ! onl9e magaz9e ,novy   
,fokus1 :o 0 *>g$ ) spread+ false       
in=mation ab\t ! ,russian milit>y2  7#c7
 ,natalya ,ty%kevi*1 ,vladimir ,metelk91
 ,alla ,gutnikova1 & ,arm5 ,aramyan1 !  
editors ( /ud5t magaz9e ,,doxa1 :o 7    
deta9$ aft] refus+ to take d[n a video  
in=m+ ,russian y\? ( _! "r to prote/ 9  
support ( ,navalny2 &  7#d7 ,novaya     
,gazeta1 a l&m>k indep5d5t newspap]1 :i*
 ceas$ publication 9 ,russia aft]       
receiv+ om9\s w>n+s f ,russia's m$ia    
regulator "u its =eign ag5ts law2 ,:]eas
 ! ,gov]nm5t ( ! ,p's ,republic ( ,*9a1 
:i* accord+ to ,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s is
 curr5tly deta9+ at lea/ #abg j\rnali/s 
& =c$ #ah =eign correspond5ts to leave !

 c\ntry 9 #bjbj1 has unlea%$ an         
onslaught ( attacks on press fre$om 9   
,*9a & ,hong ,kong1 includ+ ?r\gh-- 7#a7
 /ate-sponsor$ c5sor%ip & dis9=mation   
campaigns limit+ access to in=mation    
ab\t ! novel coronavirus1 includ+ ?r\gh 
its c5sor%ip ( virus-relat$ keywords on 
social m$ia plat=ms2  7#b7 attacks on   
press fre$om 9 ,hong ,kong1 includ+ !   
passage ( ! ,national ,security ,law1   
:i* poses an exi/5tial ?reat to ! city's
 tradition ( press fre$om1 & ! arre/ &  
subsequ5t conviction ( ,jimmy ,lai1 own]
 ( ,hong ,kong's l>ge/ m$ia outlet1     
,apple ,daily1 & an outspok5 democracy  
advocate2  7#c7 arre/s or o!r repressive
 actions aga9/ indep5d5t j\rnali/s &    
o!rs 9 ma9l& ,*9a attempt+ to %>e       
unc5sor$ news or op9ion ab\t !          
,,covid-#ai outbreak1 includ+ ! det5tion
 ( citiz5 j\rnali/ ,*5 ,qiu%i1 :o       
disappe>$ )\t explanation = long] ?an   
#fjj days2  7#d7 ! det5tion ( j\rnali/s 
critical ( ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,*9a1 includ+  
,*5 ,ji]51 :o rema9s 9 prison aft] be+  

s5t5c$ to #ae ye>s 9 #bjbj1 foll[+ #b   
ye>s ( incommunicado det5tion1 aft]     
blogg+ ab\t allegations ( corrupt local 
(ficials2 &  7#e7 ! #bjag disappe>ance (
 ,uyghur j\rnali/ & poet ,qurban ,mamut 
foll[+ a visit to ! ,unit$ ,/ates to    
visit 8 son1 & 8 subsequ5t det5tion &   
#ae-ye> prison s5t5ce = alleg$ political
 crimes2 ,:]eas ,afghani/an "u !        
,taliban rema9s "o ( ! mo/ repressive   
c\ntries = j\rnali/s1 ) j\rnali/s       
subject to arre/1 beat+s & arbitr>y     
re/rictions on _! "w2 ,:]eas ,bel>us has
 witness$ sweep+ attacks aga9/ ! press  
s9ce ,alex&] ,luka%5ka's fraudul5t      
election 9 ,augu/ #bjbj1 ) j\rnali/s &  
m$ia work]s h>ass$1 assault$1 imprison$1
 or o!rwise retaliat$ aga9/ = _! "w1    
includ+-- 7#a7 ,raman ,pratasevi*1 a    
j\rnali/ 9 exile ^: plane f ,greece to  
,li?uania 0 illegally div]t$ by         
,bel>usian au?orities & =c$ to l& 9     
,m9sk1 all[+ ,pratasevi* & 8 girlfri5d  
,s(ia ,sapega to be arre/$2  7#b7 ,&rey 
,kuzne*yk1 a j\rnali/ :o1 :ile work+ =  

,radio ,free ,europe_/,radio ,lib]ty1 0 
deta9$ 9 ,novemb] #bjba & is fac+       
unspecifi$ *>ges2  7#c7 ,katsi>yna      
,&reyeva & ,d>ia ,*ultsova1 j\rnali/s   
s5t5c$ to #b ye>s 9 prison 7on *>ges (  
violat+ public ord]7 = film+ live       
cov]age ( ! viol5t disp]sal ( a prote/  
aga9/ ,presid5t ,luka%5ka2  7#d7 #ae    
j\rnali/s & o!r employees ( lead+       
indep5d5t m$ia outlet ,tut4,by1 includ+ 
respect$ *ief editor1 ,m>yna ,zolotava1 
7 arre/$ 9 ,may #bjba1 & mo/ ( !m rema9 
9 cu/ody on *>ges ( tax evasion2  7#e7  
,ih> ,losik1 a blogg] :o is also        
affiliat$ ) ,radio ,free ,europe_/,radio
 ,lib]ty1 0 s5t5c$ to #ae ye>s 9 prison 
9 ,decemb] #bjba = alleg$ly violat+     
public ord]2 &  7#f7 ,aleh              
,hruzdzilovi*1 a ,n>odnaya ,volya & =m] 
,radio ,free ,europe_/,radio ,lib]ty    
correspond5t :o 0 s5t5c$ 9 ,m>* #bjbb to
 #aa_/b ye>s 9 prison = alleg$ly        
p>ticipat+ 9 prote/s2 ,:]eas ,report]s  
,)\t ,bord]s ass]ts t press fre$om 9    
,burma has be5 set back t5 ye>s 9 t5    

days aft] ! ,febru>y #bjba milit>y c\p1 
s9ce-- 7#a7 m$ia work]s 7 =c$ into hid+ 
& confront$ c5sor%ip1 h>assm5t1 int]net 
blocks1 beat+s1 int]rogations1 ?reats1 &
 injuries at ! h&s ( ! milit>y2  7#b7   
multiple indep5d5t m$ia outlets _h to   
cease op]ations or close altoge!r or _h 
_! lic5ses revok$ by ! milit>y2 &  7#c7 
j\rnali/s 7 deta9$ at al>m+ rates1 ) #bf
 j\rnali/s 9 prison at ! end ( #bjba2   
,:]eas ,cuba rema9s a highly re/rict$   
environm5t = indep5d5t m$ia1 m>k$ by    
int]net re/rictions & con/ant h>assm5t (
 j\rnali/s & news outlets1 includ+--    
7#a7 ,luz ,escob>1 a j\rnali/ :o 0      
repeat$ly b>r$ by security =ces f leav+ 
h] home2  7#b7 new regulations impos$ 9 
,augu/ #bjba t crim9alize ! onl9e       
dissem9ation ( false or (f5sive         
in=mation2 &  7#c7 ! det5tion ( at lea/ 
#g j\rnali/s dur+ ! ,july #bjba         
anti-gov]nm5t prote/s2 ,:]eas ,egypt's  
re/rictions on ! m$ia h accel]at$ "u    
,presid5t ,abdel ,fattah el-,sisi s9ce  
#bjac1 ) at lea/ #be j\rnali/s imprison$

 dur+ #bjba1 includ+-- 7#a7 ,alaa ,abd  
,el ,fattah1 a blogg]1 :o 0 s5t5c$ to #e
 ye>s 9 prison = broadca/+ false news   
aft] hav+ already endur$ torture & a    
hung] /rike dur+ 8 "t 9 jail2  7#b7     
,ismail ,alex&rani1 an ,egyptian        
freelance j\rnali/1 :o 0 deta9$ 9       
,novemb] #bjae & lat] s5t5c$ to #aj ye>s
 9 prison by a milit>y c\rt = 8         
c\nt]t]rorism rese>* 9 ! ,nor? ,s9ai2   
7#c7 ,hi%am ,abdel ,aziz1 an ,al ,jaze]a
 j\rnali/ :o is on ! v]ge ( los+ 8      
eyesight foll[+ untreat$ glaucoma :ile 9
 prison2 &  7#d7 ,mahm\d ,ab\ ,zeid1 :o 
0 releas$ aft] #e ye>s 9 prison1 b      
rema9s subject to a #e-ye> probation t]m
 t requires 8 cont9u\s pres5ce at a     
police /ation betwe5 #f3jj p4m4 & #f3jj 
a4m4 e night2 ,:]eas assaults on press  
fre$om 9 ,el ,salvador imp]il its       
fragile democracy & include bo? v]bal   
attacks on j\rnali/s by political lead]s
 & ! use ( /ate p[] to intimidate       
indep5d5t m$ia1 su* z-- 7#a7 ! ongo+    
crim9al inve/igation aga9/ outlet ,el   

,f>o1 :i* 0 laun*$ aft] x report$ damag+
 in=mation ab\t ! adm9i/ration2  7#b7 ! 
onl9e attacks & ?reats to j\rnali/s f ! 
outlet ,revi/a ,factum1 :i* has be5     
bann$ f press conf]5ces at ! presid5tial
 resid5ce2 &  7#c7 ! adoption ( a new   
law t imposes prison s5t5ces rang+ f #aj
 to #ae ye>s = c]ta9 report+ on crim9al 
gr\ps1 su* z gangs2 ,:]eas1 accord+ to  
,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s & ,fre$om ,h\se1 
,indian au?orities h rec5tly impos$     
int]net & communication black\ts1 deta9$
 & *>g$ j\rnali/s cov]+ political       
demon/rations1 & call$ = ! tempor>y     
blockage ( j\rnali/s & m$ia acc\nts on  
,twitt]2 7#a7 ,gautam ,navlakha1 a      
j\rnali/ & activi/1 :o has be5 await+   
trial s9ce ,april #bjbj on *>ges (      
in/igat+ ca/e viol5ce1 has be5 d5i$ bail
 on m$ical gr\nds multiple times1 & is  
curr5tly deta9$ 9 solit>y conf9em5t2 &  
7#b7 ,an& ,teltumbde1 a columni/ &      
writ]1 :o has be5 deta9$ s9ce ,april    
#bjbj1 *>g$ ) illegally associat+ ) a   
,maoi/ gr\p1 & has be5 d5i$ bail #c     

times despite a s]i\s m$ical condition &
 ov]cr[d$ jails dur+ ! ,,covid-#ai      
p&emic2 ,:]eas ,iran rema9s !           
f\r?-highe/ jail] ( writ]s & public     
intellectuals worldwide1 promot+ an     
extremely ho/ile environm5t = ! press1  
sev]ely re/rict+ fre$oms ( ! press & (  
spee*1 & subject+ m$ia work]s to        
aggressive intimidation1 arbitr>y       
summons1 arre/s1 travel bans1           
conditional releases1 torture1 inhumane 
treatm5t1 & unsub/antiat$ & unju/       
s5t5ces1 includ+-- 7#a7 freelance       
j\rnali/ ,f>iborz ,kalant>i1 :o 0 s5t5c$
 on ,febru>y #g1 #bjba1 to #g ye>s 9    
prison & #gd la%es = us+ 8 telegram     
*annel to circulate articles ab\t       
corruption *>ges br\ght aga9/ ! ex-,vice
 ,presid5t's bro!r2  7#b7 ! editor (    
weekly ,agr9 ,rozh1 ,mahm\d ,mahm\di1 :o
 0 arre/$ by ag5ts ( ! ,m9i/ry (        
,intellig5ce 9 ,san&aj aft] issu+ an op5
 lett] call+ = ! release ( deta9$       
,kurdi% activi/s2  7#c7 freelance blogg]
 & activi/ ,sey$ ,hosse9 ,ronaghi       

,maleki1 :o 0 =cefully tak5 to an unkn[n
 location by unid5tifi$ security =ces on
 ,febru>y #bc1 #bjbb1 aft] condemn+ !   
ratification ( ! ,us] ,protection ,bill1
 a piece ( legislation t re/ricts       
,iranians' access to ! int]net2  7#d7   
freelance photoj\rnali/ ,noo%9 ,jaf>i1  
:o 0 arre/$ 9 #bjba & s5t5c$ to a #d-ye>
 prison t]m = spread+ anti-/ate propag&a
 & insult+ sanctities2  7#e7 ,iranian   
j\rnali/ ,navid ,sey$-,mohammadi1 a     
,kurdi% report] = ! /ate-run ,islamic   
,republic ,radio & ,television          
broadca/]1 :o 0 arre/$ 9 ,may #bjbj & is
 s]v+ a #g-ye> prison s5t5ce = espionage
 = ho/ile /ates2 &  7#f7 ,iranian       
j\rnali/ ,khosr[ ,sadeghi ,boroj5i1 :o  
is s]v+ a #g-ye> s5t5ce 9 ,tehran's ,ev9
 ,prison = collud+ aga9/ national       
security & insult+ ! ,islamic republic's
 f\nd] 9 relation to 8 critical writ+4  
,aft] be+ arre/$ & releas$ on bail 9    
,may #bjai1 he began 8 prison s5t5ce 9  
,augu/ #bjbj2 ,:]eas ,report]s ,)\t     
,bord]s report$ t ,mexico cont9ues to be

 "o ( ! _w's deadlie/ c\ntries =        
j\rnali/s1 :]e report]s cov]+ /ories on 
political corruption & organiz$ crime   
are frequ5tly assault$ & murd]$1        
includ+-- 7#a7 #h j\rnali/s kill$ dur+ !
 fir/ #d mon?s ( #bjbb2  7#b7 ,gu/avo   
,sn*ez ,cabr]a1 a report] :o cov]$ crime
 & politics & :o 0 gunn$ d[n 9 front ( 8
 son2  7#c7 ,ric>do ,domnguez ,lpez1 !  
f\nd] & editor ( news website           
,info,guaymas2 &  7#d7 broadca/ j\rnali/
 ,l\rdes ,maldonado ,lpez &             
photoj\rnali/ ,m>g>ito ,m>t9ez1 :o 7    
kill$ 9 ,tijuana )9 a week ( ea* o!r 9  
,janu>y #bjbb2 ,:]eas ,haiti is ! second
 deadlie/ c\ntry 9 ! ,we/]n ,hemisph]e =
 j\rnali/s1 ) #c j\rnali/s kill$ dur+ ! 
fir/ #d mon?s ( #bjbb1 foll[+ a /eady   
uptick ( ne>-fatal & fatal viol5ce aga9/
 ! press ov] ! la/ sev]al ye>s2 ,:]eas !
 ye>s-long p]secution ( j\rnali/s 9     
,nic>agua cont9ues1 includ+ news outlets
 =c$ to close & individual j\rnali/s be+
 ?reat5$1 h>ass$1 su$1 surveill$1 jail$1
 & =c$ into exile1 includ+-- 7#a7       

,miguel ,m5doza1 :o 0 giv5 a #i-ye>     
prison s5t5ce 9 ,febru>y = und]m9+      
national integrity & dissem9at+ false   
news2 &  7#b7 ,miguel ,mora1 =m]        
director ( #ajj ,noticias1 :o 0 giv5    
#ac-ye> prison s5t5ce 9 ,febru>y #bjbb =
 conspiracy to und]m9e national         
integrity2 ,:]eas ,honduras rema9s "o ( 
! ,we/]n ,hemisph]e's deadlie/ c\ntries 
= j\rnali/s1 :]e ^? work+ = opposition  
m$ia or :o are outspok5 critics ( !     
gov]nm5t are subject$ to h>assm5t1      
intimidation1 & dea? ?reats by !        
c\ntry's security =ces & its affiliates2
 ,:]eas 9 ,p]u1 crim9al defamation      
lawsuits & legislation h be5 us$ to     
h>ass & sil5ce inve/igative j\rnali/s :o
 write ab\t prom95t political figures2  
,:]eas ! ,(fice ( ! ,director (         
,national ,intellig5ce has conclud$ t ! 
murd] ( ,wa%+ton ,po/ j\rnali/ &        
,am]ican resid5t ,jamal ,kha%oggi 9     
,i/anbul 9 #bjah 0 approv$ by ,saudi    
,cr[n ,pr9ce ,moham$ b9 ,salman2 ,:]eas 
impunity cont9ues = ! ,saudi (ficials   

involv$ 9 ! #bjah assass9ation ( ,saudi 
columni/ ,jamal ,kha%oggi2 ,:]eas !     
,k+dom ( ,saudi ,arabia ma9ta9s an      
especially ho/ile environm5t t[>ds      
j\rnali/s ?r\gh sy/ematic & arbitr>y    
arre/s1 torture & inhumane or degrad+   
treatm5t1 l5g?y pre-trial det5tions1    
political p]secution1 & conditional     
release re/rictions1 :i* inhibit        
report]s & columni/s f travel+ or       
return+ to _! pr(essional "w            
po/-det5tion1 includ+-- 7#a7 ,maha      
,al-,rafidi ,al-,qahtani1 a j\rnali/ &  
writ] arre/$ 9 ,septemb] #bjai1 held 9  
solit>y conf9em5t1 & physically abus$   
:ile 9 prison2  7#b7 ,abdulrahman       
,f>hana1 a columni/ deta9$ 9 ,febru>y   
#bjai1 *>g$ ) memb]%ip 9 a t]rori/      
organization2  7#c7 ,zuhair ,kutbi1 a   
j\rnali/ jail$ 9 ,janu>y #bjai1 :o      
report$ly suff]s f torture1 maln\ri%m5t1
 & d5ial ( canc] treatm5t 9 prison2 &   
7#d7 ,raif ,badawi1 a blogg] :o rec5tly 
complet$ a #aj-ye> prison s5t5ce on     
blasphemy *>ges1 & :o rema9s subject$ to

 a fur!r #aj-ye> travel ban :i* prev5ts 
him f unit+ ) 8 family :o receiv$ asylum
 9 ,canada2 ,:]eas ! battle = a free    
press cont9ues to be f\ght 9 ,s\? &     
,s\!a/ ,asia1 :]e-- 7#a7 ,banglade%i    
j\rnali/s h repeat$ly be5 arre/$ & *>g$ 
"u ! ,digital ,security ,act1 "s ( :om h
 be5 subject$ to torture & "o ( :om di$ 
9 cu/ody2  7#b7 j\rnali/ & ,nobel ,prize
 laureate1 ,m>ia ,ressa has be5 t>get$  
by ! ,gov]nm5t ( ! ,philipp9es'         
aggressive campaign aga9/ indep5d5t m$ia
 aft] h] report+ on1 among o!r topics1  
,presid5t ,dut]te's w> on drugs2  7#c7  
,vietnamese j\rnali/s ,pham ,*i ,dung1  
,nguy5 ,tuong ,?uy1 & ,le ,huu ,m9h     
,tuan 7 ea* s5t5c$ to m ?an #aj ye>s 9  
prison2 &  7#d7 ,pham ,doan ,trang1 a   
,vietnamese j\rnali/ & writ]1 foll[+ a  
ye> 9 det5tion1 0 s5t5c$ to #i ye>s 9   
prison = anti-/ate propag&a 9 a judicial
 proce$+ & imprisonm5t decl>$ arbitr>y  
by ! ,unit$ ,nations ,work+ ,gr\p on    
,arbitr>y ,det5tion2 ,:]eas press fre$om
 cont9ues to face *all5ges 9 sub-,sah>an

 ,africa1 includ+ 9-- 7#a7 ,e?iopia1 :]e
 a crackd[n on ! press amid ! ongo+     
civil conflict has includ$-- 7,a7 !     
#a-week susp5sion ( ! indep5d5t         
publication ,addis ,/&>d2  7,b7 !       
expulsion ( ,new ,york ,times report]   
,simon ,m>ks2  7,c7 ! arbitr>y arre/s ( 
num]\s j\rnali/s :o h be5 deta9$ = up to
 sev]al mon?s1 mak+ ! c\ntry !          
second-wor/ jail] ( j\rnali/s 9         
,sub-,sah>an ,africa2  7,d7 ! exile (   
sev]al o!r j\rnali/s :o left ! c\ntry   
afraid ( p]secution1 accord+ to !       
,committee to ,protect ,j\rnali/s2  7,e7
 ! ,novemb] #bjba arre/ ( ,bikila ,am5u 
& ,dessu ,dulla1 #b j\rnali/s :o rema9  
imprison$ z ( ,april #bjbb2  7,f7 ! ,may
 #bjba kill+ ( j\rnali/ ,sisay ,fida1   
:i* 0 docum5t$ by ! ,committee to       
,protect ,j\rnali/s to h occurr$ 9      
connection to 8 j\rnali/ic "w2 &  7,g7 !
 ,janu>y #bjba kill+ ( ano!r j\rnali/1  
,dawit ,keb$e ,araya1 = reasons t rema9 
uncle>2  7#b7 ,nig]ia1 :]e j\rnali/     
,luke ,b9niyat 0 arre/$ 9 ,novemb]      

#bjba1 0 releas$ on bail 9 ,febru>y     
#bjbb1 & faces #c ye>s 9 prison if      
convict$ ( s5d+ false in=mation "u !    
,cyb]crimes ,act2 &  7#c7 ,eritrea1     
:]e-- 7,a7 ,m$hanie ,haile1 co-f\nd] ( !
 ,ke/e ,deb5a newspap]1 has be5 deta9$  
incommunicado s9ce ,septemb] #bjja & is 
suff]+ f s]i\s heal? issues due to h>%  
prison conditions2  7,b7 ,temesg5       
,ghebreyesus1 editor ( ! ,ke/e ,deb5a   
newspap]1 has also be5 deta9$           
incommunicado s9ce ,septemb] #bjja2     
7,c7 ,idris ,said ,aba ,arre1 a         
freelance j\rnali/ & au?or1 has be5     
deta9$ incommunicado & )\t *>ges s9ce   
,octob] #bjja aft] d5\nc+ ! mass arre/ (
 a gr\p ( politicians kn[n z ! ,g-#ae2  
7,d7 ,dawit ,isaak1 co-own] ( ! newspap]
 ,setit1 s9ce 8 arre/ 9 ,septemb] #bjja1
 has be5 tortur$1 has be5 held 9 solit>y
 conf9em5t1 & has be5 suff]+ f m$ical   
conditions :i* h wors5$ dur+ det5tion2 &
  7,e7 ,amanuel ,asrat1 a poet &        
editor-9-*ief ( ,zem51 has be5 deta9$   
incommunicado s9ce #bjja2  ,:]eas !     

,turki% ,j\rnali/s' ,association report$
 t-- 7#a7 9 #bjba-- 7,a7 #aae j\rnali/s 
fac$ physical viol5ce2 &  7,b7 #gc      
j\rnali/s 7 deta9$1 ) at lea/ #dd       
j\rnali/s rema9+ 9 prison at ! end ( !  
ye>2  7#b7 #c out ( e #e j\rnali/s face 
?reats dur+ _! c>e]2 &  7#c7 ,turkey is 
ma9ta9+ its /&+ z-- 7,a7 "o ( ! _w's mo/
 oppressive environm5ts = press fre$om2 
&  7,b7 "o ( ! _w's lead+ jail]s (      
j\rnali/s2  ,:]eas 9 ,turkey1 ! cont9u$ 
p]secution ( j\rnali/s & writ]s1        
initially t>get$ 9 #bjaf dur+ a         
nation-wide crackd[n on diss5t foll[+ ! 
fail$ #bjaf c\p aga9/ ,presid5t ,recep  
,tayyip ,erdoan1 has result$ 9 l5g?y    
s5t5ces & judicial h>assm5t1 includ+    
,gltek9 ,avc1 a writ] & =m] columni/ )  
n[-%utt]$ ,bugn1 :o 0 s5t5c$ to life 9  
prison )\t ! possibility ( p>ole 9      
,decemb] #bjbj = conspiracy1 :]e 8      
columns 7 us$ z evid5ce ( 8 alleg$      
crime2 ,:]eas ,morocco has exp]i5c$     
sev]e crackd[ns on fre$om ( expression &
 support]s ( a free press1 includ+--    

7#a7 ,ta\fik ,b\a*r9e1 ! publi%] &      
editor-9-*ief ( ,akhb> al-,y\m1 :o 0    
arre/$ 9 ,febru>y #bjah on retaliatory  
*>ges relat$ to 8 j\rnalism & is s]v+ a 
#ae-ye> s5t5ce2  7#b7 ,s\laimane        
,raiss\ni1 a columni/ & editor-9-*ief   
,akhb> al-,y\m1 :o succe$$ publi%]      
,ta\fik ,b\a*r9e & 0 arre/$ on simil>   
retaliatory *>ges 9 ,may #bjbj & is s]v+
 a #e-ye> s5t5ce2  7#c7 ,ali ,an\zla1 a 
j\rnali/ & editor ( ! news website      
,lakome1 :o has be5 repeat$ly arre/$ on 
retaliatory *>ges relat+ to 8 j\rnalism 
includ+ appologism = t]rorism1 mat]ial  
aid = t]rorism1 & incitem5t to t]rorism2
  7#d7 ,maati ,monjib1 a hi/orian &     
advocate = free press1 :o 0 deta9$ 9    
,decemb] #bjbj = #c mon?s on speci\s    
national security & fraud *>ges & rema9s
 subject to re/rictive bail conditions2 
&  7#e7 ,om> ,radi1 a j\rnali/ :o 0     
arre/$ on suspicion ( espionage 9 ,june 
#bjbj %ortly aft] ,amne/y ,int]national 
report$ t ! ,moroccan au?orities hack$ 8
 phone & monitor$ 8 activities2 ,:]eas !

 ,gov]nm5t ( ,v5ezuela cont9ues to t>get
 indep5d5t m$ia outlets1 re/rict+ !     
ex]cise ( fre$om ( expression & sev]ely 
limit+ ,v5ezuelan access to accurate    
in=mation2 ,:]eas ,am]ican j\rnali/s h  
be5 victimiz$ :ile cov]+ conflicts      
abroad1 includ+-- 7#a7 ,*ri/oph] ,all51 
:o 0 kill$ :ile cov]+ ! conflict 9 ,s\? 
,sudan on ,augu/ #bf1 #bjag1 & ^: kill+ 
has yet to be inve/igat$ by au?orities  
aft] ne>ly #e ye>s2  7#b7 ,au/9 ,tice1  
:o 0 kidnapp$ 9 ,syria & has be5 held 9 
captivity s9ce ,augu/ #ab1 #bjab2 &     
7#c7 ,br5t ,r5aud1 :o 0 kill$ by        
,russian =ces :ile cov]+ ! w> 9 ,ukra9e 
on ,m>* #ac1 #bjbb2 ,:]eas1 "u !        
auspices ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,ag5cy =     
,global ,m$ia1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t
 provides f9ancial assi/ance to sev]al  
editorially indep5d5t m$ia outlets1     
includ+ ,voice ( ,am]ica1 ,radio ,free  
,europe_/,radio ,lib]ty1 ,radio ,free   
,asia1 ! ,(fice ( ,cuba ,broadca/+1 & ! 
,middle ,ea/ ,broadca/ ,networks-- 7#a7 
:i* report & broadca/ news1 in=mation1 &

 analysis 9 critical regions ar\nd ! _w2
 &  7#b7 ^: j\rnali/s regul>ly face     
h>assm5t1 f9es1 & imprisonm5t = _! "w2 &
 ,:]eas press fre$om-- 7#a7 is a key    
compon5t ( democratic gov]nance1        
activism 9 civil society1 &             
socioeconomic developm5t2 &  7#b7       
enhances public acc\ntability1          
transp>5cy1 & p>ticipation 9 civil      
society & democratic gov]nance3 ,n[1    
!re=e1 be x  ,t ! ,s5ate-- 7#a7 decl>es 
t a free press-- 7,a7 is a c5tral       
compon5t ( free societies & democratic  
gov]nance2  7,b7 contributes to an in=m$
 civil society & gov]nm5t acc\ntability2
  7,c7 helps to expose corruption2  7,d7
 enhances public acc\ntability &        
transp>5cy ( gov]nm5ts at all levels2 & 
7,e7 dissem9ates in=mation t is ess5tial
 to improv+ public heal? & safety2  7#b7
 expresses conc]ns ab\t ?reats to !     
ex]cise ( fre$om ( expression1 includ+  
by ! press1 ar\nd ! _w2  7#c7 recognizes
 & comm5ds j\rnalism's role 9 provid+   
tru/$1 accurate1 & timely in=mation & 9 

hold+ gov]nm5ts & lead]s acc\ntable to  
citiz5s2  7#d7 is dismay$ t1 "u cov] ( !
 ,,covid-#ai p&emic1 _m gov]nm5ts h     
re/rict$ ! "w ( j\rnali/s report+ on !  
public heal? crisis & on peaceful       
prote/s on a v>iety ( issues2  7#e7 pays
 tribute to j\rnali/s :o made trem5d\s  
sacrifices1 includ+ ! loss ( _! lives1 9
 ! pursuit ( tru? & ju/ice2  7#f7       
condemns all actions ar\nd ! _w t       
suppress press fre$om2  7#g7 calls = !  
unconditional & imm$iate release ( all  
wrongfully deta9$ j\rnali/s2  7#h7      
reaffirms ! c5trality ( press fre$om to 
ef=ts ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t to    
support democracy1 mitigate conflict1 & 
promote good gov]nance dome/ically &    
ar\nd ! _w2 &  7#i7 calls on ! ,presid5t
 & ! ,secret>y ( ,/ate-- 7,a7 to pres]ve
 & build ^u ! lead]%ip ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates
 on issues relat+ to press fre$om1 on ! 
basis ( ! protections = fre$om ( ! press
 af=d$ ! ,am]ican p "u ! ,fir/ ,am5dm5t 
to ! ,con/itution ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2    
7,b7 to transp>5tly inve/igate & br+ to 

ju/ice ! p]petrators ( attacks aga9/    
j\rnali/s2 &  7,c7 to promote ! respect 
& protection ( press fre$om ar\nd ! _w4