,,iii  #aah? ,,congress  #a/ ,session   
,s4 ,,res4 #aia  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!
 ,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,may #c1 #bjbc ,mr4   
,m55dez 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,rubio1 ,mr4   
,ka9e1 ,mr4 ,c>d91 ,mr4 ,m]kley1 & ,mr4 
,van ,holl57 submitt$ ! foll[+          
resolution2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee
 on ,=eign ,relations  ,,resolution     
,recogniz+ wid5+ ?reats to fre$om ( !   
press & free expression ar\nd ! _w1     
reaffirm+ ! vital role t a free &       
indep5d5t press plays 9 combat+ ! gr[+  
?reats ( au?orit>ianism1 mis9=mation1 & 
dis9=mation1 & reaffirm+ fre$om ( !     
press z a priority ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates    
,gov]nm5t 9 promot+ democracy1 human    
rights1 & good gov]nance 9 commemoration
 ( ,_w ,press ,fre$om ,day on ,may #c1  
#bjbc4  ,:]eas ! ,fir/ ,am5dm5t to !    
,unit$ ,/ates ,con/itution & v>i\s ,/ate
 con/itutions protect fre$om ( ! press 9
 ! ,unit$ ,/ates2 ,:]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 ,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$ia &      
reg>dless ( fronti]s42 ,:]eas1 9 #aiic1 
! ,unit$ ,nations ,g5]al ,assembly      
proclaim$ ! ?ird day ( ,may ( ea* ye> to
 be ,_w ,press ,fre$om ,day--  7#a7 to  
celebrate ! fundam5tal pr9ciples ( press
 fre$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 ! ,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 #bjba1 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 ,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s1 9 _! 
compil$ data f #bjbb1 provide al>m+     
indications ab\t gr[+ divisions result+ 
f ! spread ( dis9=mation ) ! pot5tial to
 weak5 democratic societies2 ,:]eas1    
accord+ to ,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s1 a    
record total ( #ecc j\rnali/s 7 9 prison
 z ( ,decemb] #a1 #bjbb1 & ! annual     
numb] ( wom5 j\rnali/s 9 prison has     
rec5tly ris5 by ne>ly #cj p]c5t2 ,:]eas 
,fre$om ,h\se's ,fre$om 9 ! ,_w #bjbc   
report m>k$ ! #ag? consecutive ye> (    
decl9e 9 global fre$om1 ) an e/imat$ #ci
 p]c5t ( ! global population liv+ 9     
c\ntries deem$ ,n ,free2 ,:]eas wors5+  
m$ia fre$om has be5 "o ( ! key driv]s ( 
decl9es 9 global fre$om1 includ+ attacks
 & prosecutions aga9/ j\rnali/s1        
pressure on m$ia outlets1 repressive    
regulatory & legal frameworks1 int]net  

%utd[ns1 & blocks on onl9e s\rces (     
in=mation2 ,:]eas j\rnali/s & m$ia /aff 
are be+ murd]$1 attack$1 h>ass$ &       
imprison$ ar\nd ! _w & ! ,committee to  
,protect ,j\rnali/s has report$ t-- 7#a7
 at lea/ #fg j\rnali/s & m$ia work]s 7  
kill$ ar\nd ! _w 9 #bjbb1 repres5t+ a   
rise comp>$ to ! previ\s ye> ( almo/ #ej
 p]c5t2  7#b7 ! va/ majority ( murd]s ( 
j\rnali/s occur ) impunity1 ) ne>ly #hj 
p]c5t ( ! p]petrators ( #bfc murd]s (   
j\rnali/s f ,septemb] #a1 #bjab1 to     
,augu/ #ca1 #bjbb1 fac+ no puni%m5t2    
7#c7 ,iran1 ,*9a1 ,burma1 ,turkey1 &    
,bel>us 7 responsible = ne>ly #fj p]c5t 
( all imprison$ j\rnali/s2 &  7#d7      
j\rnali/s & m$ia outlets ar\nd ! _w h   
be5 t>get$ by gov]nm5t actors )         
sophi/icat$ spyw>e products t pose a    
sev]e risk to _! security & ! security (
 _! s\rces & families2 ,:]eas1 accord+  
to ,,p5 ,am]ica1 at lea/ #caa writ]s &  
public intellectuals1 includ+ columni/s 
& editorial j\rnali/s1 7 imprison$      
across #cf diff]5t c\ntries dur+ #bjbb2 

,:]eas1 s9ce ! />t ( ,russia's          
full-scale invasion ( ,ukra9e 9 ,febru>y
 #bjbb1 ,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s has      
docum5t$ attacks directly t>get+        
j\rnali/s1 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$ia           
facilities2 ,:]eas1 9 ! ,ukra9ian       
t]ritory ( ,crimea1 ,ukra9ian j\rnali/s 
& blogg]s h repeat$ly be5 ?reat5$1      
arbitr>ily arre/$1 & tortur$ = resi/+   
,russian occupation1 su* z ! det5tions (
 ,vladyslav ,yesyp5ko ,iryna ,danylovy*1
 ,amet ,suleimanov1 ,asan ,akhmetov1    
,m>l5 ,asanov1 ,n>iman ,celal1 ,oleksiy 
,bess>abov1 ,osman ,arifmemetov1 ,remzi 
,bekirov1 ,ruslan ,suleimanov1 ,ru/em   
,%eikhaliev1 ,s]v] ,mu/afayev1 ,seyran  
,saliev1 ,timur ,ibragimov1 & ,vil5     

,tem]yanov2 ,:]eas m$ia work]s face     
height5$ dang]s 9 ,russia1 su* z        
h>assm5t1 repression1 c5sor%ip1 &       
imprisonm5t1 ) #bb j\rnali/s imprison$ z
 ( ,april #ag1 #bjbc1 ( :om #aj 7 arre/$
 aft] ! beg9n+ ( ! invasion ( ,ukra9e1  
includ+-- 7#a7 ,evan ,g]%kovi*1 a ,unit$
 ,/ates report] ) ! ,wall ,/reet        
,j\rnal1 :o 0 wrongfully deta9$ on      
baseless espionage *>ges 9 ,m>* & faces 
up to #bj ye>s 9 jail2  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 
on ,febru>y #ae1 #bjbc2  7#d7 ,s]gey    
,mikhaylov1 publi%] ( indep5d5t newspap]
 ,li/ok1 :o 0 arre/$ = 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#f7 ,novaya ,gazeta1 a
 l&m>k indep5d5t newspap] f\nd$ 9 #aiic1
 :i*-- 7,a7 susp5d$ op]ations 9 ,russia 
9 ,m>* #bjbb aft] receiv+ w>n+s f !     
au?orities cit+ ! c\ntry's =eign ag5ts  
law2 &  7,b7 0 /ripp$ ( its pr9t & onl9e
 m$ia lic5ses 9 ,septemb] #bjbb2 &  7#g7
 ,m$uza1 a lead+ indep5d5t bil+ual news 
website bas$ outside ( ,russia1 :i*--   
7,a7 0 designat$ by ,russian au?orities 
9 ,janu>y #bjbc z an undesirable        
organization "u ! #bjae ,undesirable    
,organization ,law2 &  7,b7 0 bann$ f   
op]at+ 9 ! ,russian ,f$]ation2  ,:]eas1 
accord+ to ! ,committee to ,protect     
,j\rnali/s1 ! ,gov]nm5t ( ! ,p's        
,republic ( ,*9a _h deta9$ at lea/ #dc  
j\rnali/s1 z ( ,decemb] #a1 #bjbb1 & 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 any diss5t1 includ+ rec5t

 prote/s aga9/ !n-impos$ ,,covid-#ai    
re/rictions1 & by c5sor+ prote/-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 curr5t affairs1 includ+ ,sophia    
,huang ,xueq91 :o has writt5 ab\t wom5's
 rights & ! prote/s 9 ,hong ,kong1 & has
 be5 arbitr>ily deta9$ = m ?an #ejj     
days2  7#d7 ! det5tion ( j\rnali/s      
critical ( ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,*9a1 includ+  
,ruan ,xiaohuan1 :o1 aft] blogg+ ab\t   
programm+ & politics1 0 s5t5c$ to a     
#g-ye> t]m ( imprisonm5t 9 e>ly #bjbc1  
foll[+ #ba mon?s ( incommunicado        
det5tion2 &  7#e7 ! cont9u$ det5tion (  

,uyghur j\rnali/s1 :o acc\nt = ne>ly #ej
 p]c5t ( imprison$ j\rnali/s 9 ,*9a1    
includ+ ,ilham ,tohti1 f\nd] ( ! news   
website ,uighurbiz1 :o 0 deta9$ 9 #bjad 
& is s]v+ a life s5t5ce2  ,:]eas        
,afghani/an1 "u ! control ( ! ,taliban1 
rema9s "o ( ! mo/ repressive c\ntries = 
j\rnali/s1 ) j\rnali/s 9 ,afghani/an be+
 subject to arre/1 beat+s1 & arbitr>y   
re/rictions on _! "w1 includ+ j\rnali/s 
,mortaza ,behb\di & ,khairullah ,p>h>1  
:o h be5 deta9$ by ! ,taliban s9ce      
,janu>y #bjbc2 ,:]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 ,katsi>yna ,&reyeva1 a  
correspond5t ) ,pol&-bas$ indep5d5t     
broadca/] ,belsat ,,tv1 :o1 :ile s]v+ a 
#b-ye> prison t]m = film+ a live        
broadca/ ( ! viol5t disp]sal ( a prote/ 
aga9/ ,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 & 
:o is n receiv+ appropriate m$ical c>e  
despite hav+ a preexi/+ bra9 tumor t has
 gr[n dur+ h] det5tion2  7#c7 ,m>yna    
,zolatava1 *ief editor ( indep5d5t news 
website ,tut4by1 :o 0 s5t5c$ 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] #bjba1 & s5t5c$ 9 ,june #bjbb  
to #f ye>s 9 prison on *>ges ( =m+ an   
extremi/ gr\p2 &  7#e7 ,ih> ,losik1     
ano!r ,radio ,free ,europe_/,radio      
,lib]ty j\rnali/ :o 0 arre/$ 9 ,june    
#bjbj1 & s5t5c$ 9 ,decemb] #bjba to #ae 
ye>s 9 jail on bogus *>ges ( prep>ation 
( actions t violate public ord]1 :o     
attempt$ suicide 9 ,m>* #bjbc1 & ^: wife

 ,d>ya 0 s5t5c$ 9 ,janu>y #bjbc to #b   
ye>s 9 prison on a *>ge ( facilitat+    
extremi/ activity2 ,:]eas ,report]s ,)\t
 ,bord]s ass]ts t due to oppression by !
 milit>y junta1 press fre$om 9 ,burma   
has be5 set back t5 ye>s 9 t5 days aft] 
! ,febru>y #a1 #bjba1 milit>y c\p1      
includ+ ?r\gh--  7#a7 m$ia work]s =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$ia outlets _h =c$ to cease  
op]ations or close altoge!r or _h _!    
lic5ses revok$ by ! milit>y2 &  7#c7    
j\rnali/s be+ deta9$ at al>m+ rates1 )  
#ge j\rnali/s 9 prison z ( ,april #ag1  
#bjbc2 ,:]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+ j\rnali/ ,lz>o ,yuri ,valle     
,roca :o 0 s5t5c$ to #e ye>s 9 prison = 
enemy propag&a & resi/ance 9 ,july      
#bjbb1 a cle> sign t ! ,cuban regime    

cont9ues us+ ! extreme measure ( jail+  
j\rnali/s to ma9ta9 its regime (        
c5sor%ip2 ,:]eas ,egypt's re/rictions on
 ! m$ia h accel]at$ "u ,presid5t ,abdel 
,fattah el-,sisi s9ce #bjac1 ) at lea/  
#ba j\rnali/s imprison$ z ( ,decemb] #a1
 #bjbb1 accord+ to ! ,committee to      
,protect ,j\rnali/s1 includ+-- 7#a7     
,alaa ,abd ,el ,fattah1 a blogg] s5t5c$ 
to #e ye>s 9 prison = broadca/+ false   
news :o emb>k$ on a hung] /rike on      
,april #b1 #bjbb1 to prote/ 8           
mi/reatm5t1 :i* he escalat$ to a        
ne>-fatal wat] /rike t prompt$ a =c$    
m$ical int]v5tion by prison (ficials ^u 
! />t ( ! ,unit$ ,nations ,,cop #bg     
climate summit 9 ,%>m ,el-,%eikh1 ,egypt
 on ,novemb] #f1 #bjbb2  7#b7 ,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#c7
 ,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 daily2   
,:]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 !         
gov]nm5t1 & :i* l$ ! m$ia outlet to     
relocate mo/ ( its op]ations to ,co/a   
,rica foll[+ h>assm5t by ,salvadorian   
police2  7#b7 ! onl9e attacks & ?reats  
to j\rnali/s f ! outlet ,revi/a ,factum1
 :i* has be5 bann$ 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 9 ,india1 gov]nm5t au?orities   
frequ5tly impose int]net & communication
 black\ts 9 c]ta9 areas1 & h rec5tly    
deta9$ & *>g$ j\rnali/s cov]+ political 
demon/rations1 call$ = ! tempor>y       
blockage ( j\rnali/s & m$ia acc\nts on  

,twitt]1 & subject$ j\rnali/s to se>*es 
& arre/s1 includ+-- 7#a7 ! ,febru>y     
#bjbc raid on ! ,briti% ,broadca/+      
,company (fices 9 ,delhi & ,mumbai1 dur+
 :i* tax au?orities seiz$ employees'    
laptops & mobile phones1 foll[+ an      
,income ,tax ,dep>tm5t ord] ! previ\s   
mon?1 widely view$ z an attempt to c5sor
 ! outlet foll[+ ! release ( a docum5t>y
 on key political figures 9 ,india2 &   
7#b7 ! h\se arre/ ( ,gautam ,navlakha1 a
 j\rnali/ & activi/1 :o has be5 await+  
trial s9ce ,april #bjbj on *>ges (      
in/igat+ ca/e viol5ce2 ,:]eas ,paki/an  
ma9ta9s high levels ( m$ia c5sor%ip &   
impunity p]si/s 9 cases ( kill+s &      
physical attacks on j\rnali/s :o        
criticize ! milit>y & /ate in/itutions1 
includ+--  7#a7 ! arre/ ( j\rnali/s     
,imran ,riaz ,khan1 9 ,july #bjbb1 "u   
s$ition *>ges = 8 criticism ( ! milit>y2
 &  7#b7 ! assault ( ,ayaz ,amir1 an    
employee ( ,dunya ,news1 on ,july #a1   
#bjbb1 days aft] he _h made comm5ts     
criticiz+ =m] ,prime ,m9i/] ,imran ,khan

 & ! milit>y2  ,:]eas ,iran 0 ! lead+   
jail] ( j\rnali/s & ! mo/ prolific jail]
 ( female j\rnali/s 9 #bjbb1 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 ,nilo(> ,ham$i1 
correspond5t ( ! daily newspap] ,%>gh1  
:o 0 imprison$ 9 #bjbb = try+ to docum5t
 ! dea? ( ,mahsa ,am9i on *>ges t c\ld  
result 9 ! dea? p5alty2  7#b7 ,elahe    
,mohammadi1 j\rnali/ = ! daily ,ham     
,mihan1 :o 0 also imprison$ 9 #bjbb = ! 
same action & on ! same *>ges2  7#c7    
,yalda ,moai]y1 a prom95t female        
photoj\rnali/ :o--  7,a7 :ile cov]+ !   
nationwide prote/s 9 ,tehran1 0 arre/$  
by anti-riot police despite hav+ press  
cr$5tials2  7,b7 0 lat] *>g$ ) spread+  
propag&a aga9/ ! sy/em & act+ aga9/     
national security2 &  7,c7 0 s5t5c$ to  
#f ye>s 9 prison2  7#d7 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#e7 ,mahm\d       
,mahm\di1 ! editor ( ! weekly newspap]  
,agr9 ,rozh1 :o 0 arre/$ by ag5ts ( !   
,m9i/ry ( ,intellig5ce 9 ,san&aj aft]   
issu+ an op5 lett] call+ = ! release (  
deta9$ ,kurdi% activi/s2  7#f7 freelance
 photoj\rnali/ ,noo%9 ,jaf>i1 :o 0      
arre/$ 9 #bjba1 & s5t5c$ to a #d-ye>    
prison t]m = spread+ anti-/ate propag&a 
& insult+ sanctities2 &  7#g7 ,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 ,:]eas ,mexico cont9ues
 to be "o ( ! _w's deadlie/ c\ntries =  
j\rnali/s1 :]e #be j\rnali/s are        
curr5tly c\nt$ z miss+1 & report]s cov]+
 /ories on political corruption &       
organiz$ crime are frequ5tly assault$ & 
murd]$1 includ+--  7#a7 ,gu/avo ,sn*ez  

,cabr]a1 a report] :o cov]$ crime &     
politics & :o 0 murd]$ 9 front ( 8 son2 
7#b7 ,ric>do ,domnguez ,lpez1 ! f\nd] & 
editor ( news website ,info,guaymas2    
7#c7 ,l\rdes ,maldonado ,lpez1 a        
broadca/ j\rnali/1 & ,m>g>ito ,m>t9ez1 a
 photoj\rnali/1 :o 7 bo? kill$ 9        
,tijuana 9 ,janu>y #bjbb2  7#d7 ,juan   
,c>los ,muiz1 a report] :o cov]$ crime =
 ! news website ,te/igo ,m9]o2 &  7#e7  
,fr$id ,romn1 ! f\nd] ( ! newspap] ,la  
,realidad & a columni/ = ! newspap]     
,vrtice ,di>io de ,*ilpanc+o2 ,:]eas    
,haiti is ! second deadlie/ c\ntry 9 !  
,we/]n ,hemisph]e = j\rnali/s1 ) #g     
j\rnali/s kill$ dur+ #bjbb1 foll[+ a    
/eady uptick ( 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 be+ =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 along ) #f o!r j\rnali/s & 
m$ia work]s1 0 among ! gr\p ( #bbb      

political prison]s releas$ by ,nic>aguan
 au?orities 9 ,febru>y #bjbc1 s5t to !  
,unit$ ,/ates1 & subsequ5tly /ripp$ ( _!
 ,nic>aguan citiz5%ip2 &  7#b7 j\rnali/ 
,victor ,ticay1 :o 0 arre/$ 9 ,april    
#bjbc1 9 connection to 8 ,april #e      
report+ ab\t a ,ca?olic ,ea/]           
celebration2 ,:]eas ,honduras rema9s "o 
( ! ,we/]n ,hemisph]e's mo/ dang]\s     
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 crim9al defamation   
lawsuits & legislation h be5 us$ 9 ,p]u 
to h>ass & sil5ce inve/igative j\rnali/s
 :o write ab\t prom95t political figures
 & ! viol5t repression ( prote/ors has  
also increas$ ! risk to j\rnali/s cov]+ 
ongo+ social unre/ 9 ,p]u2 ,:]eas !     
,(fice ( ! ,director ( ,national        
,intellig5ce has conclud$ t ! #bjah     
murd] ( ,wa%+ton ,po/ j\rnali/ &        
,am]ican resid5t ,jamal ,kha%oggi 9     

,i/anbul 0 approv$ by ,saudi ,cr[n      
,pr9ce ,moham$ b9 ,salman & impunity    
cont9ues = ! ,saudi (ficials involv$ 9  
?is crime2 ,:]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 conf9em5t &       
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$ly suff]s f torture1   
maln\ri%m5t1 & d5ial ( canc] treatm5t 9 
prison2 &  7#d7 blogg] ,raif ,badawi1 :o
 rec5tly complet$ a #aj-ye> prison      

s5t5ce on blasphemy & apo/asy *>ges1 &  
:o rema9s subject$ to a fur!r #aj-ye>   
travel ban1 :i* prev5ts him f reunit+ ) 
8 family :o receiv$ asylum 9 ,canada2   
,:]eas ! battle = a free press cont9ues 
to be f\ght 9 ,s\? ,asia & ,s\!a/ ,asia1
 :]e--  7#a7 ,banglade%i j\rnali/s are  
subject$ to arbitr>y arre/s & *>ges "u !
 ,digital ,security ,act1 & suff] kill+s
 & physical attacks ) ne>-total impunity
  7#b7 j\rnali/1 ,nobel ,prize laureate1
 & ,unit$ ,/ates citiz5 ,m>ia ,ressa1   
despite rul+s 9 h] favor1 cont9ues to   
face lawf>e = h] report+ on ,presid5t   
,dut]te's w> on drugs1 among o!r topics2
  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$om cont9ues to face *all5ges 9
 sub-,sah>an ,africa1 includ+ 9-- 7#a7  
,e?iopia1 :]e a crackd[n on ! press has 
includ$--  7,a7 ! arbitr>y arre/s (     
j\rnali/s1 :i* 0 exac]bat$ dur+ ! civil 
w> & has cont9u$ ev5 aft] ! sign+ ( a   
peace agreem5t 9 ,novemb] #bjbb2  7,b7  
int]net disruptions deploy$ dur+ times (
 political t5sion1 includ+ z rec5tly z  
,april #bjbc1 mak+ x difficult & dang]\s
 = ! press to report ! news2  7,c7 !    
,janu>y #bjbc susp5sion ( #ae m$ia      
outlets1 includ+ ! ,,bbc's ,somali      
s]vice1 & _! repres5tatives f op]at+ 9 !
 ,somali ,regional ,/ate2 &  7,d7 !     
failure to provide a cr$ible acc\nt+ = !
 #bjba kill+s ( j\rnali/s ,dawit ,keb$e 
,araya & ,sisay ,fida2  7#b7 ,nig]ia1   
:]e j\rnali/s h be5 repeat$ly deta9$ &  
*>g$ = _! "w1 includ+-- 7,a7 ,luke      
,b9niyat1 :o 0 arre/$ 9 ,novemb] #bjba1 
releas$ on bail 9 ,febru>y #bjbb1 & is  
fac+ #c ye>s 9 prison if convict$ ( s5d+
 false in=mation "u ! ,cyb]crimes ,act2 
7,b7 ,agba ,jal+o1 publi%] ( !          

,cross,river,watch news site1 :o 0      
arre/$ on ,m>* #bg1 #bjbc1 *>g$ "u !    
,cyb]crimes ,act = alleg$ly publi%+     
false news1 & releas$ on bail on ,april 
#c1 #bjbc2 &  7,c7 ,h>una ,mohamm$      
,salisu1 publi%] ( ! ,wikki,times1 :o 0 
arre/$ :ile cov]+ ! ,febru>y #be1 #bjbc1
 ,f$]al elections1 *>g$ "u ! p5al code )
 incit+ ! public to di/urb ! ,bau*i /ate
 gov]nor1 & releas$ on bail on ,m>* #a1 
#bjbc2  7#c7 ,eritrea1 :i* is "o ( !    
_w's mo/ c5sor$ nations1 & :]e at lea/  
#af j\rnali/s1 includ+ editors ,dawit   
,isaak & ,amanuel ,asrat1 are deta9$1 ) 
mo/ ( ^! det5tions comm5c+ dur+ a #bjja 
crackd[n on ! indep5d5t press1 accord+  
to ! ,committee to ,protect ,j\rnali/s2 
7#d7 ,cam]oon1 :]e--  7,a7 #e j\rnali/s 
7 imprison$ z ( ,decemb] #bjbb2  7,b7 at
 lea/ #b j\rnali/s h di$ 9 gov]nm5t     
cu/ody "u suspici\s circum/ances s9ce   
#bjaj2 &  7,c7 j\rnali/ ,m>t9ez ,zogo 0 
abduct$1 tortur$1 & kill$ 9 ,janu>y     
#bjbc2  7#e7 ,rw&a1 :]e--  7,a7 at lea/ 
#d j\rnali/s 7 imprison$ z ( ,decemb]   

#a1 #bjbb1 accord+ to ! ,committee to   
,protect ,j\rnali/s2 &  7,b7 j\rnali/   
,john ,williams ,ntwali1 :o1 aft]       
report+ on cases ( torture1             
disappe>ances1 & =c$ gov]nm5t evictions1
 0 kill$ "u suspici\s circum/ances2     
7#f7 ,somalia1 :]e rec5t violations     
include ! mon?s-long legal h>assm5t ( ! 
freelance j\rnali/ & press fre$om       
advocate ,abdalle ,ahm$ ,mum91 :o 0     
deta9$ sev]al times & convict$ (        
disobey+ gov]nm5t ord]s 9 connection to 
8 objection to gov]nm5t plans to c5sor  
m$ia cov]age ( security issues & 0      
releas$ on ,m>* #bf1 #bjbc1 aft] m ?an  
#a mon? 9 prison2  7#g7 ,burundi1 :]e   
j\rnali/ ,floriane ,irangabiye is s]v+ a
 #aj-ye> prison s5t5ce1 foll[+ a ,janu>y
 #bjbc conviction 9 connection to h]    
critical comm5t>y on gov]nance issues 9 
! c\ntry2  7#h7 9 ,mali & ,burk9a ,faso1
 :]e =eign j\rnali/s h be5 expell$ &    
,fr5* m$ia outlets h be5 bann$2 &  7#i7 
9 ,zimbabwe1 :]e ! c\ntry's ov]ly broad 
cyb]crime legislation has be5 us$ to    

deta9 j\rnali/s & sil5ce ! press2       
,:]eas1 9 ,turkey1 :]e ! ,erdogan       
gov]nm5t ma9ta9s "o ( ! _w's mo/        
repressive environm5ts = j\rnali/s &    
cont9ues to imprison at lea/ #dj        
j\rnali/s 9 retaliation = _! pr(essional
 "w1 includ+ #ae ,kurdi% j\rnali/s :o 7 
arre/$ 9 ,june #bjbb1 b 7 nev] publicly 
*>g$2 ,:]eas ,hatice ,duman1 ! longe/   
imprison$ j\rnali/ 9 ,turkey1 :o has be5
 s]v+ a life s5t5ce on t]rorism *>ges   
s9ce ,april #i1 #bjjc1 told ! ,committee
 to ,protect ,j\rnali/s 9 ,novemb] t %e 
_h little hope = fre$om 9 h] curr5t     
retrial2 ,:]eas1 9 ,georgia1 ! free     
press is increas+ly ?reat5$1 z evid5c$  
by ! conviction ( =m] gov]nm5t m9i/] &  
j\rnali/ ,nika ,gv>amia to a #db mon?   
prison s5t5ce on ,may #af1 #bjbb1 on    
*>ges widely d5\nc$ z politically       
motivat$1 & attempts to pass laws model$
 aft] ! ,russian ,f$]ation's infam\s    
=eign ag5ts law1 & insuffici5t          
prosecution ( frequ5t physical attacks  
on memb]s ( ! press2 ,:]eas1 9          

,tajiki/an1 :]e ! gov]nm5t cont9ues its 
sy/ematic repression ( ! free press 9   
#bjbb by s5t5c+ #f j\rnali/s to l5g?y   
prison t]ms on spuri\s *>ges 9          
secretive1 clos$-door trials held 9     
det5tion c5t]s amid allegations (       
torture & =c$ confessions1 includ+--    
7#a7 ,ulfatkhonim ,mamad%oeva1 a        
#ff-ye>-old e?nic ,pamiri j\rnali/ &    
human rights def5d]1 :o 0 s5t5c$ to #bj 
ye>s 9 prison2 &  7#b7 j\rnali/s ,dal]  
,imomali1 ,abdullo ,ghurbati1 ,zavqibek 
,saidam9i1 & ,abdusattor                
,pirmuhammadzoda1 :o 7 s5t5c$ to t]ms ( 
imprisonm5t rang+ f #g to #aj ye>s on   
spuri\s *>ges ( extremism2  ,:]eas1 9   
,kyrgyz/an1 :]e ! gov]nm5t has tak5     
worry+ /eps to und]m9e ! c\ntry's       
relative press fre$om s9ce ! />t (      
#bjbb1 includ+ by-- 7#a7 block+ news    
websites "u an arbitr>y new false       
in=mation law1 includ+ t ( ,radio ,free 
,europe_/,radio ,lib]ty2 &  7#b7 impos+ 
spuri\s *>ges ( illegal drug manufacture
 on inve/igative j\rnali/ ,bolot        

,temirov & deport+ him to ! ,russian    
,f$]ation 9 retaliation = 8 report+ on  
corruption 9 ! gov]nm5t's procurem5t    
processes2 ,:]eas ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,morocco
 has impos$ sev]e crackd[ns on fre$om ( 
expression & support]s ( a free press & 
is curr5tly deta9+ #ac j\rnali/s1       
includ+--  7#a7 ,ta\fik ,b\a*r9e1 !     
publi%] & editor-9-*ief ( ,akhb>        
al-,y\m1 :o 0 arre/$ 9 ,febru>y #bjah on
 retaliatory *>ges relat$ to 8 j\rnalism
 & is s]v+ a #ae-ye> prison 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 #bjbj1 &
 is s]v+ a #e-ye> prison 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+ apologism 
= 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 ,:]eas1 
9 #bjbb & #bjbc1 press fre$om 9 ,alg]ia 
cont9u$ to det]iorate at an al>m+ pace1 
) ! newspap] ,lib]t clos+ aft] #cj ye>s 
9 pr9t foll[+ a decision by its own]1 z 
a result ( ! int]m9able pressure ex]t$  
at ! highe/ level 9 rec5t mon?s aga9/   
its editorial l9e1 ) ! newspap] ,el     
,watan be+ subject$ to /rong pressures t
 l$ to a radical *ange 9 its editorial  
l9e1 & be=e ! rec5t adoption ( an al>m+ 
m$ia law1 sev]al j\rnali/s 7 summon$ &  
prosecut$ = _! "w1 notably--  7#a7      
,nadir ,k]ri1 :o 0 plac$ "u judicial    
sup]vision2  7#b7 ,belkacem ,ha\am1 :o 0
 deta9$ = #b mon?s 9 response to an     
article he publi%$ 9 late #bjbb2 &  7#c7
 ,ihsane ,el ,kadi1 :o 0 prosecut$      

sev]al times & rema9s 9 prison aft] he 0
 ultimately s5t5c$ to #c ye>s 9 prison 9
 ,april #bjbc2 ,:]eas ! ,maduro regime (
 ,v5ezuela cont9ues to t>get indep5d5t  
m$ia outlets1 re/rict ! ex]cise ( fre$om
 ( expression1 & sev]ely limit          
,v5ezuelan access to accurate in=mation2
 ,:]eas ,am]ican j\rnali/s h be5        
victimiz$ :ile report+ 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 #f  
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 &     
7#d7 ,evan ,g]%kovi*1 :o 0 arre/$ 9     
,russia on *>ges ( espionage on ,m>*    
#bi1 #bjbc2 ,:]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 ^u ! ,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