,,iv  #aah? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,h4 ,,res4 #ceg  ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,(     
,,repres5tatives  ,may #b1 #bjbc,mr4    
,s*iff 7= himself1 ,ms4 ,salaz>1 ,mr4   
,johnson ( ,georgia1 ,mr4 ,coh51 ,ms4   
,norton1 ,mr4 ,boyle ( ,p5nsylvania1 &  
,mrs4 ,watson ,coleman7 submitt$ !      
foll[+ resolution2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to !    
,committee on ,=eign ,affairs           
,,resolution  ,respond+ to gr[+ ?reats  
to fre$om ( ! press & expression ar\nd !
 _w1 reaffirm+ ! c5trality ( a free &   
indep5d5t press to ! heal? ( democracy1 
& reaffirm+ fre$om ( ! press z a        
priority ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t 9  
promot+ democracy1 human rights1 & good 
gov]nance on ,_w ,press ,fre$om ,day4   
,:]eas ,article #ai ( ! ,unit$ ,nations 
,univ]sal ,decl>ation ( ,human ,rights1 
adopt$ at ,p>is1 ,decemb] #aj1 #aidh1   
/ates1 ,ev]yone has ! "r to fre$om (    
op9ion & expression2 ?is "r includes    
fre$om to hold op9ions )\t int]f]5ce &  
to seek1 receive1 & imp>t in=mation &   
ideas ?r\gh any m$ia & reg>dless (      

fronti]s42 ,:]eas ,article #ai ( !      
,unit$ ,nations ,int]national ,cov5ant  
on ,civil & ,political ,rights adopt$ on
 ,decemb] #af1 #aiff1 /ates1 ,ev]yone   
%all h ! "r to fre$om ( expression2 ?is 
"r %all include fre$om to seek1 receive 
& imp>t in=mation & ideas ( all k9ds1   
reg>dless ( fronti]s1 ei!r orally1 9    
writ+ or 9 pr9t1 9 ! =m ( art1 or ?r\gh 
any o!r m$ia ( 8 *oice42 ,:]eas1 9      
#aiic1 ! ,unit$ ,nations ,g5]al         
,assembly proclaim$ ,may #c ( ea* ye> z 
,_w ,press ,fre$om ,day to-- 7#a7       
celebrate ! fundam5tal pr9ciples (      
fre$om ( ! press2  7#b7 evaluate fre$om 
( ! press ar\nd ! _w2  7#c7 def5d ! m$ia
 aga9/ attacks on its indep5d5ce2 &     
7#d7 pay tribute to j\rnali/s :o h lo/  
_! lives :ile work+ 9 _! pr(ession2     
,:]eas1 on ,decemb] #ah1 #bjac1 ! ,unit$
 ,nations ,g5]al ,assembly adopt$       
,resolution #fh_/afc on ! safety (      
j\rnali/s & ! problem ( impunity1 :i*   
unequivocally condemns 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 &   
nonconflict situations2 ,:]eas ! !me =  
,_w ,press ,fre$om ,day #bjbc is ,%ap+ a
 ,future ( ,rights3 ,fre$om (           
,expression z a ,driv] = ,all ,o!r      
,human ,rights1 :i* signifies ! ess5tial
 role ( press fre$om1 indep5d5t1        
plurali/ic1 & div]se m$ia1 & fre$om (   
expression 9 enabl+ ! enjoym5t &        
protection ( all o!r human rights1 & :i*
 w highlight ! ess5tial role ( ! m$ia & 
j\rnali/s 9 v]ify+ & dissem9at+ facts1  
giv+ voice to ! voiceless1 creat+ spaces
 = ideas to be debat$1 & r5d]+ complex  
matt]s intelligible = ! public at l>ge2 
,:]eas ,?omas ,jeff]son1 :o recogniz$ ! 
importance ( ! press 9 a con/itutional  
republic1 wrote 9 #aghf1 ,our lib]ty    
dep5ds on ! fre$om ( ! press1 & t _c be 
limit$ )\t be+ lo/42 ,:]eas ! ,daniel   
,pe>l ,fre$om ( ! ,press ,act ( #bjji   
7,public ,law #aaa-aff2 #bb ,u4,s4,c4   
#baea note71 sign$ into law by ,presid5t

 ,b>ack ,obama 9 #bjaj1 exp&$ !         
exam9ation ( ! fre$om ( ! press ar\nd ! 
_w 9 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate's annual c\ntry
 reports on human rights practices2     
,:]eas ,fre$om ,h\se's publication      
,fre$om 9 ! ,_w #bjbc not$ t global     
fre$om has decl9$ = #ag consecutive     
ye>s1 & ov] ! pa/ ye>1 m$ia fre$om came 
"u pressure 9 at lea/ #aeg c\ntries &   
t]ritories assess$ 9 ! report2 ,:]eas   
,fre$om ,h\se data %[ t fre$om (        
expression1 = ! m$ia & individuals1 has 
decl9$ m ?an any o!r civil lib]ty ov] ! 
la/ #ag ye>s1 & infr+em5t on free       
expression is "o ( ! bigge/ driv]s (    
democratic backslid+ globally2 ,:]eas ! 
#bjbb ,_w ,press ,fre$om ,index1 compil$
 by ,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s1 expresses   
conc]ns ab\t an increase 9 pol>ization  
amplifi$ by in=mation *aos1 & notes t )9
 democratic societies1 divisions are    
gr[+ due to ! spread ( op9ion m$ia &    
dis9=mation amplifi$ by social m$ia1    
:ile at ! int]national level1           
democracies are be+ weak5$ by !         

asymmetry betwe5 op5 societies &        
despotic regimes t control m$ia & onl9e 
plat=ms :ile wag+ propag&a w>s2 ,:]eas  
attempts to sil5ce ! m$ia cont9ue to    
multiply ar\nd ! globe1 ) traditional   
me?ods ( c5sor%ip1 viol5ce1 & h>assm5t  
be+ accompani$ by increas+ly p]vasive   
digital surveillance1 intimidation1 &   
attacks2 ,:]eas ! ,committee to ,protect
 ,j\rnali/s reports t j\rnali/s & m$ia  
outlets ar\nd ! _w h be5 t>get$ by      
sophi/icat$ spyw>e products t pose a    
sev]e risk to _! safety & ! safety ( _! 
s\rces2 ,:]eas ,fre$om ,h\se reports t  
j\rnali/s & o!rs ex]cis+ _! fre$om (    
expression cont9ue to be victims (      
transnational repression1 tactics us$ by
 gov]nm5ts beyond _! bord]s to sil5ce   
diss5t among diasporas & exiles1 includ+
 assass9ations1 unlawful deportations1  
det5tions1 r5ditions1 physical & digital
 ?reats1 h>assm5t1 & co]cion by proxy1 &
 j\rnali/s h be5 ! victims 9 #aa p]c5t (
 incid5ts ( physical transnational      
repression id5tifi$ by ,fre$om ,h\se    

s9ce #bjad2 ,:]eas1 accord+ to ,fre$om  
,h\se's ,fre$om on ! ,net #bjbb report1 
p 9 #ec c\ntries fac$ arre/ or          
imprisonm5t = express+ !mselves onl9e1  
includ+-- 7#a7 onl9e j\rnali/s t>get$ = 
_! report+2  7#b7 #dj c\ntries block+   
websites featur+ political1 social1 or  
religi\s outlets1 includ+ _m news       
outlets1 an all-"t high s9ce #bjaa2 &   
7#c7 9 #dj c\ntries j\rnali/s1 blogg]s1 
human rights activi/s1 & o!rs exp]i5c$  
physical viol5ce 9 retaliation =        
express+ !mselves onl9e2 ,:]eas !       
,dep>tm5t ( ,ju/ice 9 ,janu>y #bjbc *>g$
 #c m5 9 an alleg$ plot t orig9at$ 9    
,iran to kill ,masih ,al9ejad1 an       
opposition activi/ :o work$ = ye>s z a  
j\rnali/ 9 ,iran1 has work$ = ,voice (  
,am]ica's ,f>si-language network s9ce   
#bjae1 & is n[ a ,unit$ ,/ates citiz52  
,:]eas ,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s reports t 
#ee j\rnali/s 7 kill$ 9 #bjbb 7includ+  
#g wom5 j\rnali/s71 an almo/ #ae-p]c5t  
increase comp>$ ) #bjba1 & t m ?an #fj  
p]c5t ( ^? kill$ lo/ _! lives 9 c\ntries

 consid]$ to be at peace r ?an 9        
conflict zones2 ,:]eas1 accord+ to      
,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s1 #edg j\rnali/s &
 #ba m$ia work]s 7 imprison$ z ( ,april 
#f1 #bjbc2 ,:]eas ! ,fre$om to ,write   
,index #bjbb1 publi%$ by ,,p5 ,am]ica1  
not$ t at lea/ #caa writ]s & public     
intellectuals1 includ+ columni/s &      
editorial j\rnali/s1 7 jail$ across #cf 
diff]5t c\ntries dur+ #bjbb2 ,:]eas1    
accord+ to ! ,committee to ,protect     
,j\rnali/s-- 7#a7 at lea/ #fg j\rnali/s 
& m$ia work]s 7 kill$ ar\nd ! _w 9      
#bjbb1 at lea/ #da 9 direct connection  
to _! "w1 an almo/ #ej-p]c5t increase f 
#bjba1 driv5 by a high numb] ( j\rnali/ 
dea?s relat$ to cov]age ( ,russia's     
full-scale invasion ( ,ukra9e & a %>p   
uptick ( j\rnali/ dea?s 9 ,lat9 ,am]ica2
  7#b7 m ?an half ( ! #fg kill+s occurr$
 9 #c c\ntries3 ,ukra9e 7#ae71 ,mexico  
7#ac71 & ,haiti 7#g72  7#c7 ! deadlie/  
region = j\rnali/s on assignm5t 0 ,lat9 
,am]ica1 ^: #cj sla9 j\rnali/s acc\nt$ =
 ne>ly half ( ! global total2  7#d7 !   

va/ majority ( kill]s ( j\rnali/s       
cont9ue to get away ) murd]1 & !        
p]petrators h fac$ no puni%m5t 9 ne>ly  
#hj p]c5t ( ! #bfc cases ( j\rnali/s    
murd]$ 9 retaliation = _! "w globally   
betwe5 ,septemb] #a1 #bjab1 to ,augu/   
#ca1 #bjbb2  7#e7 at lea/ #cfc j\rnali/s
 worldwide 7 9 prison 9 relation to _!  
"w z ( ,decemb] #a1 #bjbb1 a new global 
high t ov]takes la/ ye>'s record by #bj 
p]c5t & m>ks ano!r grim mile/one 9 a    
det]iorat+ m$ia l&scape2 &  7#f7 ,iran1 
,*9a1 ,burma1 ,trkiye 7,turkey71 &      
,bel>us 7 ! top #e jail]s ( j\rnali/s   
worldwide1 respectively1 responsible =  
ne>ly #fj p]c5t ( all jail$ j\rnali/s2  
,:]eas ! ,p's ,republic ( ,*9a ma9ta9s  
"o ( ! mo/ repressive m$ia environm5ts 9
 ! _w1 ) at lea/ #ajd j\rnali/s be+     
curr5tly deta9$ accord+ to ,report]s    
,)\t ,bord]s1 & seeks to curtail fre$om 
( expression & political spee* inside & 
outside ! c\ntry1 includ+ by-- 7#a7     
t>get+ indep5d5t & =eign m$ia 9 ,*9a    
?r\gh sy/ematic h>assm5t1 includ+ !     

d5ial ( visas to =eign j\rnali/s1       
imprisonm5t1 ! d5ial ( m$ical c>e to    
imprison$ j\rnali/s1 & curtail+ access  
to legal repres5tation2  7#b7 p]vasively
 monitor+ & c5sor+ onl9e & social m$ia  
cont5t1 includ+ ?r\gh ! bann+ ( virtual 
private networks2  7#c7 spread+ propag&a
 to =eign audi5ces ?r\gh ! ,unit$ ,front
 ,"w ,dep>tm5t & relat$ activities2     
7#d7 indiscrim9ately /ifl+ diss5t &     
fre$om ( expression 9 ,hong ,kong1      
especially ?r\gh ! arbitr>y use (       
national security legislation su* z !   
#bjbj ,national ,security ,law1 :i* has 
l$ to ! suppression ( all mean+ful      
political diss5t1 includ+ ! closure (   
sev]al indep5d5t news organizations & ! 
imprisonm5t ( at lea/ #bh j\rnali/s ov] 
! pa/ #c ye>s1 at lea/ #ac ( :om are    
curr5tly deta9$ accord+ to ,report]s    
,)\t ,bord]s1 includ+ ,jimmy ,lai1 !    
f\nd] ( ,apple ,daily & an outspok5     
democracy advocate1 :o is fac+ *>ges t  
c\ld result 9 life imprisonm5t2  7#e7   
crack+ d[n on ?\s&s ( civilians :o 9    

,novemb] #bjbb peacefully prote/$ !     
regime's draconian z]o-,covid policy 9  
cities ?r\gh\t ! c\ntry1 9 ! l>ge/      
prote/s to convulse ,*9a s9ce !         
prodemocracy ,tiananm5 ,squ>e prote/s 9 
#aihi2 &  7#f7 suppress+ diss5t ?r\gh a 
sov]eign ,int]net model & export+       
te*nology to enhance ! ability ( l-m9d$ 
au?orit>ian regimes to ex]t control     
onl9e & monitor ! activity ( _! p2      
,:]eas ! ,russian ,f$]ation cont9ues its
 full assault aga9/ all indep5d5t m$ia  
actors bo? inside ,russia & abroad1 a   
situation t has dra/ically wors5$ s9ce !
 />t ( ! w> ( aggression aga9/ ,ukra9e1 
includ+ by-- 7#a7 pass+ draconian       
legislation t crim9alizes any public    
opposition to or indep5d5t news report+ 
ab\t ! unprovok$ w> aga9/ ,ukra9e1 &    
imprison+ j\rnali/s includ+ =eign       
correspond5ts = _! report+1 includ+--   
7,a7 ! arre/ 9 ,m>* #bjbc ( ,evan       
,g]%kovi*1 a ,wall ,/reet ,j\rnal       
report] & ,unit$ ,/ates citiz51 on      
baseless1 politically motivat$ espionage

 *>ges1 ! fir/ "t an ,am]ican j\rnali/  
has be5 deta9$ 9 ,russia s9ce ! ,cold   
,w>1 & = :i* ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate on     
,april #aj1 #bjbc1 deem$ ,g]%kovi* to be
 wrongfully deta9$ by ,russia2  7,b7    
,ivan ,safronov1 a correspond5t )       
,russian bus9ess dailies ,komm]sant &   
,v$omo/i1 :o 0 s5t5c$ to #bb ye>s 9 jail
 on treason *>ges 9 ,septemb] #bjbb2    
7,c7 ,m>ia ,ponom>5ko1 a correspond5t ) 
! ,rus,news indep5d5t news website1 :o 0
 s5t5c$ to #f ye>s 9 prison = spread+   
false in=mation ab\t ! ,russian milit>y 
9 ,febru>y #bjbc2  7,d7 ,s]gey          
,mikhaylov1 publi%] ( ! indep5d5t       
newspap] ,li/ok1 :o 0 arre/$ & *>g$ =   
spread+ false in=mation ab\t ! ,russian 
milit>y 9 ,april #bjbb2 &  7,e7 ,mikhail
 ,afanasyev1 editor-9-*ief ( ! onl9e    
magaz9e ,novy ,fokus1 :o 0 arre/$ & *>g$
 ) spread+ false in=mation ab\t !       
,russian milit>y 9 ,april #bjbb2  7#b7  
rely+ on re/rictive legislation1 includ+
 a repressive =eign ag5ts law1 z        
ju/ification to h>ass1 f9e1 & freeze !  

assets ( m$ia organizations1 includ+    
,radio ,free ,europe_/,radio ,lib]ty1 & 
%utt]+ indep5d5t news outlets z =eign   
ag5ts1 su* z ,novaya ,gazeta1 a l&m>k   
indep5d5t newspap] f\nd$ 9 #aiic1 :i*   
susp5d$ op]ations 9 ,russia 9 ,m>* #bjbb
 aft] receiv+ w>n+s f ! au?orities cit+ 
! c\ntry's =eign ag5ts law1 & 0 /ripp$ (
 its pr9t & onl9e m$ia lic5ses 9        
,septemb] #bjbb2  7#c7 arre/+ & deta9+  
j\rnali/s cov]+ peaceful prote/s1 &     
int5sify+ already widespread h>assm5t1  
repression1 & gov]nm5t-driv5            
retaliation1 includ+ #bb j\rnali/s be+  
imprison$ z ( ,april #f1 #bjbc1 accord+ 
to ,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s1 #i ( :om 7   
arre/$ s9ce ! beg9n+ ( ! w> ( aggression
 aga9/ ,ukra9e2  7#d7 alleg$ly kidnapp+1
 tortur+1 deta9+1 & disappe>+ j\rnali/s 
9 ,russian-controll$ t]ritories (       
,ukra9e1 includ+ ,amet ,suleimanov1     
,asan ,akhmetov1 ,iryna ,danylovy*1     
,m>l5 ,asanov1 ,n>iman ,celal1 ,oleksiy 
,bess>abov1 ,osman ,arifmemetov1 ,remzi 
,bekirov1 ,ruslan ,suleimanov1 ,ru/em   

,%eikhaliev1 ,s]v] ,mu/afayev1 ,seyran  
,salievn1 ,timur ,ibragimov1 &          
,vladyslav ,yesyp5ko2 &  7#e7 excessive 
block+ ( int]net access & applications1 
includ+ indep5d5t news sites1 social    
m$ia plat=ms1 & o!r tools ,russian      
citiz5s rely on to access indep5d5t     
in=mation & op9ions & to connect ) ea*  
o!r & ! outside _w1 includ+ ,m$uza1 a   
lead+ indep5d5t ,russian-language news  
website bas$ outside ( ,russia1 :i* 0   
label$ undesirable 9 ,janu>y #bjbc & de 
facto bann$ by ,russian au?orities2     
,:]eas1 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&1 includ+ !-- 7#a7 kill+ ( 
#h j\rnali/s & m$ia work]s2  7#b7       
torture by electric %ock1 beat+s1 & mock
 executions ( j\rnali/s work+ = !       
int]national press2  7#c7 t>get$        
kidnapp+s ( j\rnali/s & _! families 9   
occupi$ regions ( ,ukra9e to put        
pressure on _! report+2 &  7#d7         

delib]ate attacks t>get+ m$ia facilities
 demon/rat+ t ! in=mation is 9 itself an
 ess5tial t>get ( ,russian =ces 9 !     
conflict2 ,:]eas ! ,bel>usian regime has
 conduct$ sweep+ attacks aga9/ ! press  
s9ce ,presid5t ,alex&] ,luka%5ko's      
fraudul5t election 9 ,augu/ #bjbj1 )    
j\rnali/s & m$ia work]s h>ass$1         
assault$1 imprison$ 7#cd ( !m z ( ,april
 #f1 #bjbc1 accord+ to ,report]s ,)\t   
,bord]s71 or o!rwise retaliat$ aga9/ =  
_! "w1 & has /ripp$ ! accr$itation ( &  
deta9$ num]\s j\rnali/s to suppress     
indep5d5t in=mation & fre$om (          
expression1 includ+-- 7#a7 ,katsi>yna   
,&reyeva1 a correspond5t ) ,pol&-bas$   
indep5d5t broadca/] ,belsat ,,tv1 :o 0  
s]v+ a #b-ye> prison t]m = film+ live   
broadca/ ( ! viol5t disp]sal ( a prote/ 
aga9/ ,presid5t ,luka%5ko 9 ,novemb]    
#bjbj1 & 0 s5t5c$ to #h additional ye>s 
9 prison on treason *>ges 9 ,july #bjbb2
  7#b7 ,ks5ia ,lutsk9a1 a =m]           
correspond5t = ! /ate broadca/]         
,beltel]adio1 :o 0 s5t5c$ to #h ye>s 9  

prison on *>ges ( conspir+ to seize /ate
 p[] 9 ,septemb] #bjbb1 & ,lutsk9a has a
 preexi/+ bra9 tumor t has gr[n 9       
det5tion & is n receiv+ appropriate     
m$ical c>e2  7#c7 ,m>yna ,zolatava1 *ief
 editor ( ! indep5d5t news website      
,tut4by1 :o 0 s5t5c$ to #ab ye>s 9      
prison on *>ges ( incitem5t to hatr$ &  
di/ribut+ mat]ials call+ = actions aim$ 
at h>m+ national security 9 ,m>* #bjbc2 
7#d7 ,&rey ,kuzne*yk1 a j\rnali/ :o1    
:ile work+ = ,radio ,free               
,europe_/,radio ,lib]ty1 0 deta9$ 9     
,novemb] #bjba & s5t5c$ 9 ,june #bjbb to
 #f ye>s 9 prison on *>ges ( =m+ an     
extremi/ gr\p2 &  7#e7 ! label+ ( doz5s 
( m$ia outlets & ! exil$ ,bel>usian     
,association ( ,j\rnali/s z extremi/1 & 
any individual *>g$ ) creat+ or         
p>ticipat+ 9 a gr\p t has be5 label$    
extremi/ faces up to #aj ye>s 9 prison2 
,:]eas ,iran cont9ues to sev]ely re/rict
 fre$oms ( ! press & spee*1 subject+    
j\rnali/s to aggressive intimidation1   
arbitr>y summons1 arre/s1 travel bans1  

conditional releases1 torture1 inhumane 
treatm5t1 & unsub/antiat$ & unju/       
s5t5ces1 ) ! situation sev]ely wors5+   
s9ce ! />t ( ! #bjbb prote/s foll[+     
#bb-ye>-old ,kurdi% woman ,mahsa ,am9i's
 dea? 9 police cu/ody on ,septemb] #af2 
,:]eas ,iran 0 ! _w's lead+ jail] (     
j\rnali/s & ! bigge/ jail] ( female     
j\rnali/s accord+ to ! ,committee to    
,protect ,j\rnali/s' ,decemb] #bjbb     
prison c5sus1 ) ! arre/s ( at lea/ #ajj 
j\rnali/s 9 ,iran 9 ! la/ #d mon?s (    
#bjbb docum5t$ by ! ,committee to       
,protect ,j\rnali/s1 includ+-- 7#a7     
female j\rnali/s ,nilo(> ,ham$i & ,elahe
 ,mohammadi1 :o 7 imprison$ 9 ,septemb] 
#bjbb aft] break+ ! /ory ( ,mahsa       
,am9i's dea? 9 police cu/ody1 & ! #b    
j\rnali/s face anti/ate *>ges1 includ+  
espionage1 t c be puni%able ) execution2
 &  7#b7 ,yalda ,moai]y1 a prom95t      
female photoj\rnali/ :o 0 among ! fir/  
j\rnali/s to cov] ! nationwide prote/s 9
 ,tehran1 & %e 0 arre/$ by antiriot     
police despite hav+ press cr$5tials1 & 0

 lat] s5t5c$ to #f ye>s 9 prison on     
*>ges ( spread+ propag&a aga9/ ! sy/em &
 act+ aga9/ national security2 ,:]eas a 
#bjbb report by ! ,int]national         
,f$]ation ( ,j\rnali/s & ! ,afghani/an  
,national ,j\rnali/s ,union %[s t at    
lea/ #cah m$ia outlets 9 ,afghani/an h  
_h to close s9ce ! takeov] ( ! c\ntry by
 ! ,taliban1 & t j #b1ccd j\rnali/s are 
/ill work+ 9 ! c\ntry1 a significant    
decl9e f a high ( #e1jfi j\rnali/s 9 !  
p]iod prec$+ ! fall ( ,kabul 9 ,augu/   
#bjba1 & t #gb p]c5t ( j\rnali/s :o h   
lo/ _! jobs h be5 female j\rnali/s2     
,:]eas1 9 ,paki/an1 ! ,gov]nm5t ma9ta9$ 
high levels ( m$ia c5sor%ip1 & impunity 
p]si/s 9 cases ( kill+s & physical      
attacks on j\rnali/s1 includ+-- 7#a7 !  
,octob] #bjbb kill+ ( ,paki/ani j\rnali/
 ,ar%ad ,%>if 9 ,k5ya1 :]e he _h s\ght  
safety aft] feel+ ,paki/an 9 ,augu/     
#bjbb :ile fac+ a s]ies ( police cases 9
 ,paki/an 9 relation to 8 "w2 &  7#b7 ! 
,m>* #bjbc ,gov]nm5t ban on satellite   
television *annels f air+ live & record$

 spee*es by =m] ,prime ,m9i/] ,imran    
,khan1 & ! tempor>y susp5sion ( ! lic5se
 ( ,,ary ,news = broadca/+ a spee* by   
,khan2 ,:]eas ,morocco has exp]i5c$     
sev]e crackd[ns on fre$om ( expression &
 support]s ( a free press1 ) #ac        
j\rnali/s curr5tly be+ deta9$1 includ+--
 7#a7 ,ta\fik ,b\a*r9e1 ! publi%] &     
editor-9-*ief ( ,akhb> al-,y\m1 :o 0    
arre/$ 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\rnalism1
 includ+ apologism = t]rorism &         
incitem5t to t]rorism2 &  7#d7 ,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 ,:]eas1 
9 ,alg]ia1 ! situation ( press fre$om   
det]iorat$ 9 #bjbb & #bjbc1 ) sev]al    
j\rnali/s prosecut$ = _! "w1 includ+--  
7#a7 ,ihsane ,el ,kadi1 :o 0 prosecut$  
sev]al times & s5t5c$ to #c ye>s 9      
prison 9 ,april #bjbc2 &  7#b7 newspap]s
 fac+ /rong pressures aga9/ _! editorial
 l9es1 includ+ ! newspap] ,lib]t1 ^:    
own] decid$ to close aft] #cj ye>s z a  
result ( ! int]m9able pressure ex]t$ at 
! highe/ level 9 rec5t mon?s aga9/ !    
pap]'s editorial l9e2 ,:]eas ,egypt's   
re/rictions on ! m$ia h accel]at$ "u    
,presid5t ,abdel ,fattah el-,sisi s9ce  
#bjac1 ) at lea/ #bb j\rnali/s imprison$
 z ( ,april #f1 #bjbc1 accord+ to       
,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s1 includ+ ,alaa   
,abd ,el ,fattah1 a blogg] :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 ,:]eas1 
9 ,syria1 ,au/9 ,tice1 a ,unit$ ,/ates  
j\rnali/ :o 0 tak5 prison] :ile report+ 

on ,syria's civil w> m ?an #aj ye>s ago 
9 ,augu/ #bjab1 rema9s wrongfully deta9$
 by ! ,assad regime2 ,:]eas fre$om ( !  
press cont9ues to be "u assault ?r\gh\t 
,s\!a/ ,asia1 especially 9 ,vietnam1 :]e
 at lea/ #bb j\rnali/s & blogg]s are be+
 held 9 jail1 "s ) s5t5ces ( up to #ae  
ye>s = _! indep5d5t report+1 includ+    
female j\rnali/ ,pham ,doan ,trang1 a   
recipi5t ( ! ,int]national ,press       
,fre$om ,aw>d f ! ,committee to ,protect
 ,j\rnali/s 9 #bjbb & ! ,report]s ,)\t  
,bord]s ,press ,fre$om ,prize = ,impact 
9 #bjai2 ,:]eas1 9 ,burma1 ,report]s    
,)\t ,bord]s ass]ts t press fre$om has  
be5 set back #aj ye>s 9 #aj days aft] ! 
,febru>y #bjba milit>y c\p1 z-- 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 ) #ge

 j\rnali/s curr5tly be+ deta9$ accord+  
to ,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s2 ,:]eas1 9 !  
,philipp9es1 j\rnali/ & ,nobel ,prize   
laureate ,m>ia ,ressa1 a ,unit$ ,/ates  
citiz51 cont9ues to be t>get$ &         
judicially h>ass$ by ! ,gov]nm5t's      
aggressive campaign aga9/ indep5d5t m$ia
 aft] h] report+ on =m] ,presid5t       
,rodrigo ,dut]te's w> on drugs & o!r    
topics1 & %e /ill faces ! ?reat (       
imprisonm5t on ?ree rema9+ crim9al      
*>ges1 includ+ ! cyb] libel case t %e 0 
convict$ ( 9 ,june #bjbj1 :i* 0 upheld  
by ! ,c\rt ( ,appeals 9 ,july #bjbb & is
 curr5tly p5d+ a judgem5t by ! ,supreme 
,c\rt2 ,:]eas ! ,k+dom ( ,saudi ,arabia 
cont9ues to ma9ta9 an especially ho/ile 
environm5t t[>d j\rnali/s ?r\gh         
sy/ematic & arbitr>y arre/s 7#be ( :om  
are curr5tly be+ deta9$ accord+ to      
,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s71 torture &      
inhumane or degrad+ treatm5t1 l5g?y     
pretrial 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        
,wa%+ton ,po/ j\rnali/ & ,unit$ ,/ates  
resid5t ,jamal ,kha%oggi 0 murd]$ 9     
,octob] #bjah by a team ( ,saudi        
op]atives inside ! ,saudi ,arabian      
consulate 9 ,i/anbul1 ,trkiye1 & !      
,s5ate unanim\sly approv$ a resolution  
/at+ t ,mr4 ,kha%oggi's murd] 0 c>ri$   

out at ! behe/ ( ,cr[n ,pr9ce ,mohamm$  
b9 ,salman2 ,:]eas a ,turki% judge1     
likely at ! behe/ ( ,presid5t ,recep    
,tayyip ,erdoan1 issu$ a rul+ 9 ,m>*    
#bjbb t clos$ ! crim9al trial ( !       
p]petrators 9 ,trkiye & transf]r$ x to  
,saudi ,arabia1 :]e ! case aga9/ !      
p]petrators 0 promptly dismiss$1 =eclos+
 ! prospect t !y w ev] be held          
acc\ntable2 ,:]eas1 9 ,e?iopia1 num]\s  
j\rnali/s 7 arbitr>ily deta9$ 9         
connection to _! "w1 a tr5d t wors5$    
dur+ ! civil w> & cont9u$ ev5 aft] !    
sign+ ( a peace agreem5t 9 ,novemb]     
#bjbb1 & j\rnali/s fac$ o!r additional  
=ms ( c5sor%ip by ,e?iopian au?orities1 
su* z repeat$ int]net disruptions1      
includ+ z rec5tly z ,april #bjbc1 & !   
,janu>y #bjbc susp5sion ( #ae m$ia      
outlets & _! repres5tatives f op]at+ 9 !
 c\ntry's ,somali ,regional ,/ate2      
,:]eas1 9 ,s\? ,sudan1 despite repeat$  
calls = a cr$ible inquiry into ! kill+ (
 j\rnali/ ,*ri/oph] ,all51 a dual ,unit$
 ,/ates-,unit$ ,k+dom citiz5 :o 0       

delib]ately gunn$ d[n 9 ,augu/ #bjag    
:ile report+ on ! civil conflict 9      
circum/ances t c\ld am\nt to w> crimes1 
accord+ to ,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s1 !re  
has be5 no ju/ice 9 ?is case2 ,:]eas1 9 
,somalia1 freelance j\rnali/ & press    
fre$om advocate ,abdalle ,ahm$ ,mum9    
fac$ mon?s ( legal h>assm5t1 includ+ be+
 deta9$ sev]al times & lat] be+ convict$
 ( disobey+ gov]nm5t ord]s 9 connection 
to 8 objection to gov]nm5t plans to     
c5sor m$ia cov]age ( press fre$om       
issues1 & ,mr4 ,mum9 0 releas$ on ,m>*  
#bf1 #bjbb1 aft] m ?an a mon? 9 prison2 
,:]eas1 9 ,burundi1 j\rnali/ ,floriane  
,irangabiye is s]v+ a #aj-ye> prison    
t]m1 foll[+ a ,janu>y #bjbc conviction  
/emm+ f h] critical comm5t>y on         
gov]nance issues 9 ! c\ntry2 ,:]eas1    
across ,lat9 ,am]ica & ! ,c>ibbean1     
au?orit>ian regimes 9 ,cuba1 ,nic>agua1 
& ,v5ezuela cont9ue _! long/&+ practice 
( /ifl+ diss5t by ?reat5+1 h>ass+1 &    
deta9+ indep5d5t j\rnali/s & o!r m$ia   
actors1 & ! ,committee to ,protect      

,j\rnali/s docum5t$ #cj j\rnali/s kill$ 
9 ,lat9 ,am]ica 9 #bjbb1 reflect+ !     
outsize risk j\rnali/s 9 ! region face  
:ile cov]+ topics su* z crime1          
corruption1 gang viol5ce1 & !           
environm5t2 ,:]eas1 9 ,mexico1 :i*      
rema9s ! mo/ dang]\s c\ntry 9 ! ,we/]n  
,hemisph]e = j\rnali/s-- 7#a7 murd]s1   
dea? ?reats1 & legal impunity cause     
j\rnali/s to self-c5sor _! report+ out (
 fe>2  7#b7 accord+ to ! ,committee to  
,protect ,j\rnali/s1 at lea/ #ac        
j\rnali/s 7 kill$ 9 ,mexico 9 #bjbb1 !  
highe/ numb] ! press fre$om organization
 has ev] docum5t$ 9 a s+le ye> 9 !      
c\ntry s9ce x />t$ keep+ records 9      
#aiib2  7#c7 #bh j\rnali/s are curr5tly 
c\nt$ z =cibly disappe>$ 9 ,mexico1     
accord+ to ,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s2  7#d7
 ,mexico's ,f$]al ,me*anism = !         
,protection ( ,human ,rights ,def5d]s & 
,j\rnali/s lacks ! res\rces & political 
support to provide adequate protection  
to all j\rnali/s "u ?reat :o h reque/$  
protection2  7#e7 ,fr$id ,romn1 f\nd] ( 

! ,la ,realidad newspap] & a columni/ = 
! ,vrtice de ,*ilpanc+o newspap]1 0 %ot 
& kill$ 9 ! s\!rn ,mexican /ate (       
,gu]r]o 9 ,augu/ #bjbb1 exemplify+ !    
gov]nm5t's failure to make ! c\ntry safe
 = report]s2  7#f7 ,alfonso ,m>g>ito    
,m>tnez ,esquivel1 #di1 a photoj\rnali/ 
:o specializ$ 9 cov]+ crime1 0 gunn$ d[n
 9 ,tijuana on ,janu>y #ag1 #bjbb1 & he 
work$ = ! magaz9e ,seman>io ,zeta1 :ile 
(t5 also cov]+ /ories = ! newspap] ,zeta
 & ! daily ,la ,jornada de ,baja        
,cali=nia2 &  7#g7 ,l\rdes ,maldonado   
,lpez 0 gunn$ d[n on ,janu>y #bc1 #bjbb1
 outside h] home 9 ,tijuana1 by #b      
individuals :o arriv$ 9 a taxi & pick$  
up _! sp5t bullet cas+s be=e leav+1 & an
 exp]i5c$ & v outspok5 j\rnali/ committ$
 to combat+ viol5ce & corruption1       
,maldonado 0 ! f\nd] & ho/ ( ,brebaje   
con ,l\rdes ,maldonado1 a local news    
program on ,facebook2 ,:]eas1 9 ,haiti1 
at lea/ #g j\rnali/s 7 kill$ 9 #bjbb1   
includ+ #b by ! police1 accord+ to !    
,committee to ,protect ,j\rnali/s2      

,:]eas1 "u ! auspices ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates 
,ag5cy = ,global ,m$ia1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates 
,gov]nm5t provides f9ancial assi/ance to
 sev]al editorially indep5d5t m$ia      
outlets1 includ+ ,voice ( ,am]ica1      
,radio ,free ,europe_/,radio ,lib]ty1   
,radio ,free ,asia1 ,radio y ,televisin 
,m>t1 & ! ,middle ,ea/ ,broadca/+       
,networks-- 7#a7 :i* report & broadca/  
news1 in=mation1 & analysis 9 critical  
regions ar\nd ! _w2 &  7#b7 ^: j\rnali/s
 regul>ly face h>assm5t1 f9es1 &        
imprisonm5t = _! "w2 & ,:]eas fre$om ( !
 press-- 7#a7 is a key compon5t (       
democratic gov]nance & 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 ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives-- 7#a7     
condemns ?reats to fre$om ( ! press &   
free expression ar\nd ! _w2  7#b7       
rememb]s ! brav]y ( j\rnali/s & m$ia    
work]s ar\nd ! _w :o1 despite ?reats to 
_! safety1 play an ess5tial role 9      

promot+ gov]nm5t acc\ntability1 def5d+  
democratic activity1 & /r5g!n+ civil    
society2  7#c7 rememb]s j\rnali/s & m$ia
 work]s :o h lo/ _! lives c>ry+ out _!  
"w2  7#d7 calls on gov]nm5ts abroad to  
implem5t ,unit$ ,nations ,g5]al         
,assembly ,resolution #gd_/aeg 7#bjai7  
by ?or\ghly inve/igat+ & seek+ to       
resolve out/&+ cases ( viol5ce aga9/    
j\rnali/s1 includ+ murd]s & kidnapp+s1  
:ile ensur+ ! protection ( witnesses2   
7#e7 condemns all actions ar\nd ! _w t  
suppress fre$om ( ! press2  7#f7        
reaffirms ! c5trality ( fre$om ( ! press
 to ef=ts ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t to
 support democracy1 mitigate conflict1 &
 promote good gov]nance ar\nd ! _w2 &   
7#g7 calls on ! ,presid5t & ! ,secret>y 
( ,/ate to-- 7,a7 pres]ve & build ^u !  
lead]%ip ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t on 
issues relat+ to fre$om ( ! press &     
j\rnali/ safety1 on ! basis ( !         
protections af=d$ ! ,am]ican p "u !     
,fir/ ,am5dm5t to ! ,con/itution ( !    
,unit$ ,/ates2  7,b7 improve ! rapid    

id5tification1 publication1 & response  
by ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t to ?reats  
aga9/ fre$om ( ! press ar\nd ! _w2  7,c7
 urge =eign gov]nm5ts to promptly &     
transp>5tly inve/igate & br+ to ju/ice !
 p]petrators ( ?reats1 h>assm5t1 &      
attacks aga9/ j\rnali/s2  7,d7 lev]age  
,unit$ ,/ates =eign assi/ance to support
 indep5d5t m$ia1 address dis9=mation1 & 
support te*nologies t all[ = exp&$      
access to indep5d5t report+ 9 c\ntries  
:]e au?orit>ian regimes control or limit
 ! int]net2 &  7,e7 cont9ue to highlight
 ! issue ( ?reats aga9/ fre$om ( ! press
 9 ! annual c\ntry reports on human     
rights practices ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate &
 ?r\gh diplomatic *annels4