,,iii  #aah? ,,congress  #b;d ,session  
,s4 ,,res4 #fhh  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!
 ,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,may #ae1 #bjbd ,mr4  
,c>d9 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,ka9e1 ,mr4      
,m]kley1 ,mr4 ,s*atz1 & ,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$om ,day on ,may #c1 #bjbd4  ,:]eas 
! ,fir/ ,am5dm5t to ! ,unit$ ,/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 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 compil$ data f ,report]s ,)\t
 ,bord]s provides al>m+ indications ab\t
 gr[+ divisions result+ f ! spread (    
dis9=mation ) ! pot5tial to weak5       
democratic societies2 ,:]eas1 z (       
,decemb] #ad1 #bjbc1 accord+ to         
,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s1 a total ( #eba  
j\rnali/s 7 9 prison & #hd j\rnali/s 7  
miss+2 ,:]eas ,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s    
notes t puni%m5ts aga9/ wom5 j\rnali/s  
are increas+ disproportionately1 ) !    
numb] ( wom5 j\rnali/s 9 prison ris+ by 
#cj p]c5t 9 #bjbb & ) mo/ ( ! longe/    
prison s5t5ces h&$ d[n aga9/ j\rnali/s 9
 #bjbc giv5 to wom52 ,:]eas ,fre$om     
,h\se's ,fre$om 9 ! ,_w #bjbd report    
m>k$ ! #ah? consecutive ye> ( decl9e 9  
global fre$om1 ) an e/imat$ #ch p]c5t ( 
! global population liv+ 9 c\ntries     
deem$ ,n ,free2 ,:]eas ,fre$om ,h\se's  

,fre$om on ! ,net #bjbc report m>k$ !   
#ac? consecutive ye> ( decl9e 9 global  
int]net fre$om1 ) p 9 #ee ( ! #gj       
c\ntries cov]$ fac+ legal rep]cussions =
 express+ !mselves onl9e & p 9 #da      
c\ntries fac+ physical assaults or dea? 
= _! onl9e comm5t>y2 ,:]eas infr+em5t on
 fre$om ( expression1 includ+ m$ia      
fre$om1 has be5 "o ( ! key driv]s (     
decl9es 9 global fre$om ov] ! la/ #ej   
ye>s1 accord+ to ,fre$om ,h\se1 includ+ 
attacks & prosecutions aga9/ j\rnali/s1 
pressure on m$ia outlets1 repressive    
regulatory & legal frameworks1 int]net  
%utd[ns1 ef=ts to und]m9e /rong         
encryption1 & blocks on onl9e s\rces (  
in=mation2 ,:]eas j\rnali/s & m$ia      
work]s are be+ murd]$1 imprison$1       
attack$1 & h>ass$ ar\nd ! _w & !        
,committee to ,protect ,j\rnali/s has   
report$ t-- 7#a7 at lea/ #ii j\rnali/s &
 m$ia work]s 7 kill$ ar\nd ! _w dur+    
#bjbc1 & at lea/ #bg j\rnali/s h be5    
kill$ 9 #bjbd1 z ( ,may #ae?2  7#b7     
approximately #cbj j\rnali/s 7 imprison$

 dur+ #bjbc2  7#c7 betwe5 ,septemb] #a1 
#bjac & ,augu/ #ca1 #bjbc1 ! va/        
majority ( murd]s ( j\rnali/s occurr$ ) 
impunity1 ) ne>ly #hj p]c5t ( !         
p]petrators ( #bfa murd]s ( j\rnali/s   
fac+ no puni%m5t2 &  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 _!      
privacy & security & ! security ( _!    
s\rces & families2 ,:]eas1 accord+ to   
,,p5 ,am]ica1 m ?an #cci writ]s & public
 intellectuals1 includ+ columni/s &     
editorial j\rnali/s1 7 imprison$ across 
#cc diff]5t c\ntries dur+ #bjbc2 ,:]eas 
! c5sor%ip1 victimization1 & kill+ (    
j\rnali/s ar\nd ! _w1 p>ticul>ly 9      
conflict zones1 has obvi\s & pr(\nd     
implications = ! ability ( ! public1    
includ+ ! ,am]ican public1 to be in=m$1 
includ+ ab\t conflicts ) local1         
regional1 & global ramifications2       
,:]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+ ( #aa
 ,ukra9ian & accr$it$ int]national      
j\rnali/s & m$ia work]s by ,russian arm$
 =ces2  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$ia           
facilities2 &  7#e7 ! ne> univ]sal      
c5sor%ip1 imprisonm5t1 or exile (       
,russia's indep5d5t news m$ia2 ,:]eas1  
accord+ to ! ,committee to ,protect     
,j\rnali/s & ,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s1 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 & imprisonm5ts ( ,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]yanov1 & ,lutfiye ,zudiyeva2       
,:]eas1 accord+ to ! ,committee to      
,protect ,j\rnali/s1 ,ukra9ian j\rnali/s
 ,viktoria ,ro%*9a1 ,iryna ,lev*5ko1 &  
,dmytro ,khilyuk rema9 9 ! cu/ody (     
,russian =ces aft] _! full-scale        
invasion ( ,ukra9e 9 #bjbb2 ,:]eas      
j\rnali/s & m$ia work]s face height5$   
dang]s 9 ,russia1 su* z h>assm5t1       
repression1 c5sor%ip1 & imprisonm5t1 )  
#cj j\rnali/s & #d m$ia work]s imprison$
 z ( ,m>* #bg1 #bjbd1 accord+ to        
,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s1 includ+--  7#a7 
,evan ,g]%kovi*1 a ,unit$ ,/ates citiz5 
& report] ) ! ,wall ,/reet ,j\rnal1 :o  
has be5 wrongfully deta9$ on baseless   
espionage *>ges s9ce ,m>* #bi1 #bjbc1 & 
faces up to #bj ye>s 9 jail2  7#b7 ,alsu
 ,kurma%eva1 a ,russian-,am]ican        
j\rnali/ = congressionally-fund$ ,radio 
,free ,europe_/,radio ,lib]ty1 :o 0     
arre/$ = violat+ ,russia's ,=eign ,ag5ts

 law & has s9ce be5 *>g$ = violat+      
,article #bjg4c ( ,russia's ,crim9al    
,code1 :i* effectively crim9alizes      
report+ ab\t ,russia's w> 9 ,ukra9e2    
7#c7 ,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#d7 ,s]gey ,mikhaylov1 publi%] (       
indep5d5t newspap] ,li/ok1 :o 0 arre/$ =
 alleg$ly spread+ false in=mation ab\t !
 ,russian milit>y 9 ,april #bjbb2  7#e7 
,mikhail ,afanasyev1 editor-9-*ief ( !  
onl9e magaz9e ,novy ,fokus1 :o 0 arre/$ 
& *>g$ ) alleg$ly spread+ false         
in=mation ab\t ! ,russian milit>y 9     
,april #bjbb2  7#f7 ,novaya ,gazeta1 a  
l&m>k indep5d5t newspap] f\nd$ 9 #aiic1 
:i*--  7,a7 susp5d$ op]ations 9 ,russia 
9 ,m>* #bjbb aft] receiv+ w>n+s f !     
au?orities cit+ ,russia'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$]ation2  7#h7    
,radio ,free ,europe_/,radio ,lib]ty1 an
 indep5d5t nonpr(it m$ia outlet1 :i* 0  
designat$ by ,russian au?orities 9      
,febru>y #bjbd z an undesirable         
organization "u ! #bjae ,undesirable    
,organization ,law2  7#i7 ,rus,news1 an 
indep5d5t news website ) few rema9+     
correspond5ts 9 ,russia1 ^: j\rnali/s-- 
7,a7 ,m>ia ,ponom>5ko 0 s5t5c$ to #f    
ye>s 9 prison = alleg$ly spread+ false  
in=mation ab\t ! ,russian milit>y on    
,febru>y #ae1 #bjbc1 & is fac+ a second 
crim9al *>ge = alleg$ violation ( prison
 rules2  7,b7 ,roman ,ivanov 0 s5t5c$ on
 ,m>* #f1 #bjbd1 to #g ye>s 9 prison =  
alleg$ly dissem9at+ false news on ! w> 9
 ,ukra9e2  7,c7 ,igor ,kuznetsov1 :o has
 be5 9 det5tion s9ce ,septemb] #bjba1 0 
giv5 a #c-ye> susp5d$ s5t5ce on alleg$  
extremism *>ges on ,m>* #bj1 #bjbd1 & 0 

giv5 a #f-ye> prison t]m on ,april #e1  
#bjbd1 = alleg$ly incit+ mass           
di/urbances 9 gr\p *ats on ,telegram2   
,:]eas1 ,vladimir ,k>a-,murza1 a        
,wa%+ton ,po/ contribut+ columni/ & !   
w9n] ( ! #bjbd ,pulitz] ,prize =        
comm5t>y-- 7#a7 has be5 imprison$ 9     
,russia s9ce ,april #bjbb = 8 criticism 
( ,russia's full-scale invasion (       
,ukra9e2 &  7#b7 receiv$ an unju/       
#be-ye> prison s5t5ce 9 ,april #bjbc2   
,:]eas ,russian au?orities cont9ue      
h>ass+ & prosecut+ j\rnali/s 9 exile1   
accord+ to ! ,committee to ,protect     
,j\rnali/s1 includ+--  7#a7 exil$       
,russian j\rnali/s ,ruslan ,leviev &    
,mi*ael ,nacke1 :o 7 ea* s5t5c$ 9       
abs5tia to #aa ye>s 9 prison 9 ,augu/   
#bjbc = alleg$ly di/ribut+ fake         
in=mation ab\t ! ,russian milit>y2  7#b7
 exil$ ,russian j\rnali/ ,d5is          
,kamalyag91 editor-9-*ief ( ! exil$     
,russian newspap] ,pskovskaya ,gub]niya1
 :o 0 *>g$ 9 late #bjbc ) fail+ to      
comply ) ! =eign ag5t law & ) discr$it+ 

! ,russian army2  7#c7 ,unit$           
,/ates-bas$ ,russian-,am]ican j\rnali/ &
 writ] ,ma%a ,gess51 aga9/ :om ,russia  
issu$ an arre/ w>rant 9 #bjbc = alleg$ly
 spread+ fake in=mation ab\t ! ,russian 
army2 ,:]eas o!r ,russian j\rnali/s liv+
 9 exile h also be5 t>gets ( h>assm5t1  
surveillance1 & suspect$ poison+1       
accord+ to ! ,committee to ,protect     
,j\rnali/s1 includ+--  7#a7 exil$       
,russian j\rnali/s ,el5a ,ko/yu*5ko &   
,ir9a ,babloyan1 :o report$ 9 ,augu/    
#bjbc t !y may h be5 poison$ 9 ,g]many &
 ,georgia1 respectively2  7#b7          
,prague-bas$ ,i,stories' report]s       
,alesya ,m>okhovskaya & ,ir9a ,dol99a1  
:o receiv$ ?reats & fe> !y h be5 "u     
surveillance2  7#c7 ,gal9a ,tim*5ko1 !  
,latvia-bas$ head ( ,m$uza1 ^: phone 0  
infect$ by ,pegasus1 a =m ( z]o-click   
spyw>e produc$ by ! ,israeli company    
,,nso ,gr\p1 :ile %e 0 9 ,g]many 9      
,febru>y #bjbc2 ,:]eas1 accord+ to !    
,committee to ,protect ,j\rnali/s1 z (  
,decemb] #a1 #bjbc1 ! ,gov]nm5t ( ! ,p's

 ,republic ( ,*9a _h deta9$ at lea/ #dd 
j\rnali/s1 & has unlea%$ an onslaught ( 
attacks on press fre$om 9 ! ,p's        
,republic ( ,*9a & ,hong ,kong1 includ+ 
?r\gh--  7#a7 /ate-sponsor$ c5sor%ip &  
dis9=mation campaigns limit+ access to  
any in=mation t runs contr>y to ,*9ese  
,communi/ ,p>ty propag&a n>ratives1 &   
c5sor+ politically-s5sitive keywords on 
social m$ia plat=ms2  7#b7 ! passage &  
implem5tation ( legislation t sev]ely   
curtails press fre$om 9 ,hong ,kong1    
includ+ ! ,national ,security ,law (    
,june #bjbj1 & ,article #bc ( ! ,basic  
,law ( ,m>* #bjbd1 bo? ( :i* pose an    
exi/5tial ?reat to ! city's tradition ( 
press fre$om2  7#c7 h>assm5t1           
intimidation1 arre/1 & imprisonm5t (    
j\rnali/s 9 ,hong ,kong1 includ+ ! arre/
 & subsequ5t conviction ( j\rnali/ &    
outspok5 democracy advocate ,jimmy ,lai1
 & ! closure ( 8 once widely popul>     
,*9ese-language newspap]1 ,apple ,daily2
  7#d7 arre/s or o!r repressive actions 
aga9/ indep5d5t j\rnali/s & o!rs 9 ma9l&

 ,*9a :o are attempt+ to %>e unc5sor$   
news or op9ion ab\t curr5t affairs1     
includ+--  7,a7 ,sophia ,huang ,xueq91  
:o has writt5 ab\t wom5's rights & !    
prote/s 9 ,hong ,kong1 :o 0 deta9$      
arbitr>ily beg9n+ 9 ,septemb] #bjba1 :o 
w5t on trial 9 ,septemb] #bjbc on *>ges 
( incit+ subv]sion ( /ate p[]1 & ^:     
curr5t /atus rema9s unkn[n2 &  7,b7     
citiz5 j\rnali/ ,zhang ,zhan1 :o provid$
 unc5sor$ news reg>d+ ! ,,covid-#ai     
outbreak 9 ,wuhan & :o has be5 imprison$
 s9ce ,may #bjbj on politically-motivat$
 *>ges ( pick+ qu>rels & provok+ tr\ble2
  7#e7 ! det5tion ( j\rnali/s critical (
 ! ,gov]nm5t ( ! ,p's ,republic ( ,*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 ( det5tion2 &  7#f7 ! 
cont9u$ det5tion ( ,uyghur j\rnali/s1 :o
 acc\nt = ne>ly #ej p]c5t ( imprison$   
j\rnali/s 9 ! ,p's ,republic ( ,*9a1    
includ+ ,ilham ,tohti1 f\nd] ( ! news   
website ,uighurbiz1 :o 0 deta9$ 9 #bjad 

& is s]v+ a life s5t5ce2  ,:]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$1 ) #bh j\rnali/s imprison$ z (
 ,decemb] #a1 #bjbc1 accord+ to !       
,committee to ,protect ,j\rnali/s1      
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/ ,alex&] ,luka%5ka 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 ,tut4,by1 :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   
7#f7 ,alyaks&r ,mantsevi*1 :o 0 deta9$ 9
 ,m>* #bjbc1 & is s]v+ a #d-ye> prison  
s5t5ce aft] be+ convict$ 9 ,novemb]     
#bjbc on *>ges ( discr$it+ ,bel>us2     
7#g7 ,dzianis ,iva%yn1 a freelance      
j\rnali/ :o has be5 s]v+ a s5t5ce ( #ac 
ye>s & #a mon? s9ce be+ convict$ 9      

,septemb] #bjbb1 on *>ges ( treason &   
illegal collection & dissem9ation (     
in=mation ab\t private life2 &  7#h7    
,ih> ,k>nei1 a =m] freelanc] ) ,radio   
,free ,europe_/,radio ,lib]ty1 :o 0     
s5t5c$ on ,m>* #bb1 #bjbd to #c ye>s 9  
jail = p>ticipat+ 9 an extremi/ gr\p2   
,:]eas ,bel>us has weaponiz$ extremism  
laws aga9/ indep5d5t m$ia outlets1 )    
ar\nd #be m$ia outlets label$ z extremi/
 gr\ps or organizations z ( ,m>* #bjbd1 
accord+ to ! ,committee to ,protect     
,j\rnali/s1 & has jail$ j\rnali/s on    
allegations ( creat+ or p>ticipat+ 9    
extremi/ gr\ps or facilitat+ extremi/   
activities2 ,:]eas ,bel>usian au?orities
 cont9ue to prosecute j\rnali/s 9 exile1
 includ+ exil$ j\rnali/s ,/sypan        
,putsila & ,yan ,rudzik1 :o _h cov]$    
prote/s dur+ ! #bjbj presid5tial        
election & 7 s5t5c$ 9 abs5tia to #bj    
ye>s & #ai ye>s 9 jail1 respectively1 9 
,may #bjbc1 accord+ to ! ,committee to  
,protect ,j\rnali/s2 ,:]eas1 9 #bjbb1 ! 
,islamic ,republic ( ,iran 0 ! _w's     

lead+ jail] ( j\rnali/s1 includ+ female 
j\rnali/s1 & ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,iran        
subject$ ^! j\rnali/s to arbitr>y       
summonses1 arre/s1 travel bans1 torture1
 inhumane treatm5t1 & unsub/antiat$ &   
unju/ s5t5ces1 & :]e1 accord+ to !      
,committee to ,protect ,j\rnali/s1 at   
lea/ #ag j\rnali/s & m$ia work]s rema9$ 
beh9d b>s z ( ,decemb] #a1 #bjbc1       
includ+--  7#a7 ,nilo(> ,ham$i1 a       
correspond5t ( ! daily newspap] ,%>gh1  
:o 0 imprison$ 9 #bjbb = try+ to docum5t
 ! dea? ( ,mahsa ,am9i on *>ges t c\ld  
result 9 ! dea? p5alty2  7#b7 ,elahe    
,mohammadi1 a j\rnali/ = ! daily ,ham   
,mihan1 :o 0 also imprison$ 9 #bjbb = ! 
same action & on ! same *>ges2  7#c7    
,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#d7
 ,kayvan ,samimi1 a #gf-ye>-old vet]an  
j\rnali/1 :o 0 initially imprison$ 9    

,may #bjai & is s]v+ a #f-ye> prison    
s5t5ce on anti-/ate *>ges ( spread+     
propag&a aga9/ ! sy/em & collud+ aga9/  
national security2  7#e7 si/]s ,hoda &  
,zahra ,tohidi1 :o are freelance        
j\rnali/s1 & 7 imprison$ 9 #bjbb        
alongside ,zahra's husb&1 ,alireza      
,kho%bakht1 a fell[ j\rnali/1 = docum5t+
 ! nationwide prote/s aft] ! dea? (     
,mahsa ,j9a ,am9i2 &  7#f7              
,mohammad-,bagh] ,moradi1 an exil$      
freelance j\rnali/1 :o 0 extradit$ to   
,iran f ,turkey1 0 imm$iately imprison$ 
9 #bjbb = 8 "w1 & is s]v+ a #e-ye>      
prison s5t5ce2  ,:]eas1 s9ce ! beg9n+ ( 
! ,hamas-l$ attack on ,israel on ,octob]
 #g1 #bjbc1 at lea/ #aje j\rnali/s &    
m$ia work]s h be5 kill$ dur+ ! ongo+ w> 
9 ,gaza1 ,lebanon1 & ,israel1 accord+ to
 ! ,committee to ,protect ,j\rnali/s1 & 
o!r significant attacks on ! press h be5
 docum5t$1 includ+ accord+ to ,report]s 
,)\t ,bord]s1 ! kill+ ( at lea/ #bb     
j\rnali/s 9 direct connection to _! "w2 
,:]eas ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,egypt's repression

 ( ! m$ia has exp&$ "u ,presid5t ,abdel 
,fattah el-,sisi s9ce #bjac1 &1 accord+ 
to ! ,committee to ,protect ,j\rnali/s &
 ,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s1 has includ$--  
7#a7 attacks on indep5d5t m$ia outlet   
,mada ,masr1 :i* ! ,egyptian ,gov]nm5t  
has t>get$ ) speci\s *>ges br\ght aga9/ 
editor-9-*ief ,l9a ,attalah & j\rnali/  
,rana ,mamd\h2 &  7#b7 ! imprisonm5t (  
at lea/ #ac j\rnali/s1 z ( ,decemb] #a1 
#bjbc1 includ+--  7,a7 ,alaa ,abd ,el   
,fattah1 a blogg] :o 0 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 ,moham$ ,ibrahim1 a      
blogg] :o is also kn[n z ,moham$ ,oxyg51
 :o has sp5t m ?an #d ye>s 9 pretrial   
det5tion1 :i* is #b ye>s beyond ! legal 
limit = a pre-trial det5tion2  ,:]eas1  

accord+ to ! ,committee to ,protect     
,j\rnali/s1 ,lokman ,slim1 a ,lebanese  
political comm5tator & columni/1 0      
murd]$ 9 s\!rn ,lebanon on ,augu/ #d1   
#bjbc1 aft] w>n+ t he _h be5 ?reat5$ &  
accus$ ( treason by support]s (         
,hezbollah &1 z ( ! date ( ! enactm5t ( 
?is resolution1 no arre/s or *>ges h be5
 made 9 ! inve/igation into 8 murd]2    
,:]eas ! ,(fice ( ! ,director (         
,national ,intellig5ce conclud$ t !     
#bjah murd] ( ,wa%+ton ,po/ j\rnali/ &  
,unit$ ,/ates legal p]man5t 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 a ho/ile         
environm5t t[>ds j\rnali/s ?r\gh        
transnational repression1 sy/ematic &   
arbitr>y arre/s1 torture & inhumane or  
degrad+ treatm5t1 l5g?y pre-trial       
det5tions1 & conditional release        
re/rictions1 :i* inhibit report]s &     
columni/s f travel+ or return+ to _!    

pr(essional "w po/-det5tion1 includ+--  
7#a7 ,abdulrahman ,f>hana1 a columni/ :o
 0 deta9$ 9 ,febru>y #bjai1 & *>g$ )    
memb]%ip 9 a t]rori/ organization1      
accord+ to ! ,committee to ,protect     
,j\rnali/s2  7#b7 ,zuhair ,kutbi1 a     
j\rnali/ :o 0 jail$ 9 ,janu>y #bjai1 &  
report$ly suff]s f torture1 maln\ri%m5t1
 & d5ial ( canc] treatm5t 9 prison1     
accord+ to ! ,committee to ,protect     
,j\rnali/s2 &  7#c7 blogg] ,raif        
,badawi1 :o1 accord+ to ,report]s ,)\t  
,bord]s1 rec5tly complet$ 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 ,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s 
has ass]t$ t due to oppression by !     
milit>y junta1 press fre$om 9 ,burma has
 be5 set back t5 ye>s 9 t5 days aft] !  
,febru>y #a1 #bjba milit>y c\p1 includ+ 
?r\gh-- 7#a7 m$ia work]s =c$ into hid+ &
 confront+ c5sor%ip1 h>assm5t1 int]net  
blockages1 beat+s1 int]rogations1       

?reats1 & torture at ! h&s ( ! milit>y2 
7#b7 multiple indep5d5t m$ia outlets =c$
 to cease op]ations or close altoge!r or
 hav+ _! 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 #bjbc1 includ+ photoj\rnali/
 ,sai ,zaw ,?aike1 :o 0 s5t5c$ to a     
#bj-ye> prison t]m 9 ,may #bjbc :ile    
cov]+ ! aft]ma? ( a deadly cyclone2     
,:]eas1 9 ,india1 gov]nm5t au?orities h 
tak5 a s]ies ( actions limit+ ! space = 
free & indep5d5t m$ia1 includ+-- 7#a7   
frequ5tly impos+ int]net & communication
 black\ts 9 ,indian-adm9i/]$ ,ka%mir & 9
 ! ,indian /ate ( ,manipur1 among c]ta9 
areas2  7#b7 call+ = ! tempor>y blockage
 ( j\rnali/s & m$ia acc\nts on ,x 7=m]ly
 kn[n z ,twitt]7 & o!r onl9e plat=ms2   
7#c7 increas+ re/rictions on =eign      
j\rnali/s1 & subject+ j\rnali/s to      
se>*es & arre/s1 accord+ to ! ,committee
 to ,protect ,j\rnali/s1 includ+--  7,a7
 revok+ ! j\rnalism p]mit ( ,fr5*       
report] ,vanessa ,d\gnac1 :o1 z ! sp\se 

( an ,indian citiz51 holds p]man5t      
resid5cy /atus1 kn[n z an ,ov]seas      
,citiz5s ( ,india1 =c+ h] to leave !    
c\ntry 9 ,febru>y #bjbd2  7,b7 ! cont9u$
 det5tion ( ,ka%miri j\rnali/ ,aasif    
,sultan s9ce ,april #bjah1 includ+ 8    
re-arre/ = ! ?ird "t by ,indian         
au?orities 9 ,febru>y #bjbd1 days aft] 8
 release f five & "o-half ye>s (        
prev5tative det5tion2  7,c7 ! ,june     
#bjbb arre/ ( ,tee/a ,setalvad1 a       
j\rnali/ & civil rights activi/1 by !   
,anti-,t]rorism ,squad ( ! ,guj>at      
,police1 = alleg$ly conspir+ to         
implicate ! ,guj>at gov]nm5t 9 ! #bjjb  
,guj>at riots1 & :o has s9ce fac$ legal 
h>assm5t & arbitr>y det5tion ov] ! la/  
ye> = h] "w2 &  7,d7 ! ,gov]nm5t (      
,india's ef=ts to c5sor ! ,briti%       
,broadca/+ ,corporation's docum5t>y     
critical ( prom95t ,indian political    
figures2  ,:]eas ,paki/an ma9ta9s high  
levels ( m$ia c5sor%ip1 & impunity      
p]si/s 9 cases ( kill+s & physical      
attacks on j\rnali/s :o criticize !     

milit>y & /ate in/itutions1 includ+--   
7#a7 ! repeat$ arre/ ( j\rnali/ ,imran  
,riaz ,khan1 includ+ 8 arbitr>y det5tion
 9 solit>y conf9em5t )\t due process =  
#adb days 9 #bjbc1 accord+ to ,report]s 
,)\t ,bord]s2  7#b7 ! ,july #a1 #bjbb   
assault ( ,ayaz ,amir1 an employee (    
,dunya ,news1 :i* occurr$ days aft] he  
_h made comm5ts criticiz+ =m] ,prime    
,m9i/] ,imran ,khan & ! milit>y1 accord+
 to ! ,committee to ,protect ,j\rnali/s2
 &  7#c7 ! ,febru>y #bjbd arre/ (       
,paki/ani j\rnali/ & video blogg] ,asad 
,ali ,toor on *>ges ( or*e/rat+ a       
campaign aga9/ ! /ate & its (ficials    
aga9/ !m ?r\gh 8 social m$ia plat=ms1   
accord+ to ! ,committee to ,protect     
,j\rnali/s2  ,:]eas ,afghani/an1 "u !   
control ( ! ,taliban1 rema9s "o ( ! mo/ 
repressive c\ntries = j\rnali/s1 :o are 
subject$ to arre/1 beat+s1 & arbitr>y   
re/rictions on _! "w1 includ+ j\rnali/  
,sultan ,ali ,jawadi1 :o 0 s5t5c$ to #a 
ye> 9 prison by a ,taliban c\rt 9       
,decemb] #bjbc1 accord+ to ! ,committee 

to ,protect ,j\rnali/s2 ,:]eas          
violations ( press fre$om are p]si/5t 9 
,s\? ,asia & ,s\!a/ ,asia1 :]e1 accord+ 
to ! ,committee to ,protect ,j\rnali/s--
  7#a7 9 ,vietnam1 j\rnali/ & writ]     
,pham ,doan ,trang1 9 ,decemb] #bjba1   
foll[+ a ye> 9 pretrial det5tion1 0     
s5t5c$ to #i ye>s 9 prison = anti-/ate  
propag&a 9 a judicial proce$+1 :i*      
imprisonm5t has be5 decl>$ arbitr>y by !
 ,unit$ ,nations ,work+ ,gr\p on        
,arbitr>y ,det5tion2  7#b7 9 ,banglade%1
 j\rnali/s are subject$ to arbitr>y     
arre/s & suff] kill+s & physical attacks
 ) ne> total impunity2  7#c7 9 ,sri     
,lanka1 ! enactm5t ( ! rec5t draconian  
,onl9e ,safety ,act1 :i* und]m9es fre$om
 ( spee*1 inc5tivizes self-c5sor%ip1 &  
c\ld be misus$ to suppress diss5t2      
,:]eas ,cuba rema9s a highly re/rict$   
environm5t = indep5d5t m$ia1 m>k$ by    
int]net re/rictions & con/ant           
/ate-direct$ h>assm5t ( j\rnali/s & news
 outlets1 & ! prepond]ance ( arbitr>y   
arre/s1 ?reats1 police summonses1 & =c$ 

exile1 :i* rema9 among ! repressive     
suite ( measures appli$ by ! gov]nm5t   
aga9/ activi/s & j\rnali/s1 ) victims   
includ+ ,lz>o ,yuri ,valle ,roca1 a     
j\rnali/ :o 0 s5t5c$ to #e ye>s 9 prison
 = enemy propag&a & resi/ance 9 ,july   
#bjbb1 accord+ to ! ,committee to       
,protect ,j\rnali/s1 evid5ce ! ,gov]nm5t
 ( ,cuba cont9ues to employ retaliatory 
tactics to sil5ce & jail j\rnali/s or   
=ce !m into exile to ma9ta9 its c5sor%ip
 regime2 ,:]eas assaults on press fre$om
 9 ,el ,salvador1 includ+ v]bal attacks 
on j\rnali/s by political lead]s & ! use
 ( /ate p[] to intimidate & pressure    
indep5d5t m$ia1 imp]il its fragile      
democracy1 &1 accord+ to ! ,committee to
 ,protect ,j\rnali/s & ! ,knight ,fir/  
,am5dm5t ,in/itute1 include-- 7#a7      
spyw>e attacks by ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,el     
,salvador aga9/ j\rnali/s ( ! m$ia      
outlet ,el ,f>o1 :o 7 subject to #bbf   
infections betwe5 ,june #bjbj & ,novemb]
 #bjba1 _m ( :i* attacks occurr$ :5 !   
j\rnali/s 7 communicat+ ) confid5tial   

s\rces & report+ on abuses by !         
,salvadoran ,gov]nm5t1 & :i* int5sifi$  
ar\nd ,el ,f>o's publication ( major    
/ories2  7#b7 ! ongo+ crim9al           
inve/igation aga9/ ,el ,f>o1 :i* 0      
laun*$ aft] ,el ,f>o report$ damag+     
in=mation ab\t ! ,salvadoran ,gov]nm5t1 
& ! rel5tless h>assm5t by ,salvadoran   
law en=cem5t (ficials t[>d ,el ,f>o     
j\rnali/s1 :i* l$ ! m$ia outlet to      
relocate mo/ ( its op]ations to ,co/a   
,rica foll[+ h>assm5t by ,salvadoran    
police2  7#c7 ! onl9e attacks & ?reats  
to j\rnali/s f ! outlet ,revi/a ,factum1
 :i* has be5 bann$ f press conf]5ces at 
! presid5tial resid5ce2 &  7#d7 !       
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  
,:]eas 9 ,mexico1 :i* cont9ues to be "o 
( ! _w's deadlie/ c\ntries = j\rnali/s1 
#be j\rnali/s are c\nt$ z miss+1 accord+
 to ,mexico's ,national ,human ,rights  
,commission1 & :]e ! ,committee to      
,protect ,j\rnali/s has record$ #hh     

kill+s ( j\rnali/s & m$ia work]s s9ce   
#bjab1 ( :i* #cg 7 murd]$ 9 response to 
_! reportage1 & :]e report]s cov]+      
/ories conc]n+ political corruption &   
organiz$ crime are frequ5tly assault$ & 
murd]$2 ,:]eas ,haiti is ! second       
deadlie/ c\ntry 9 ! ,we/]n ,hemisph]e = 
j\rnali/s1 ) #i j\rnali/s kill$ s9ce    
#bjbb1 accord+ to ! ,committee to       
,protect ,j\rnali/s1 foll[+ a /eady     
uptick ( viol5ce 9 ! c\ntry1 includ+    
viol5ce aga9/ ! press1 z ! c\ntry's     
security situation cont9ues to          
det]iorate foll[+ ! #bjba assass9ation (
 ,presid5t ,jov5el ,mose1 ) viol5ce     
claim+ ! lives (-- 7#a7 ,g>ry ,tesse1 a 
,haitian radio report] :o report$ on    
political & gov]nm5t corruption & 0     
believ$ to be tortur$ & kill$ 9         
retaliation = 8 report+2 &  7#b7        
,dumesky ,k]sa9t1 a j\rnali/ = an onl9e 
news outlet :o 0 kill$ :ile attempt+ to 
cov] ano!r kill+ 9 8 community2 ,:]eas 9
 ,nic>agua1 ! p]secution ( j\rnali/s by 
! ,ortega regime cont9ues unabat$1      

includ+ ?r\gh =c$ closures ( indep5d5t  
m$ia outlets1 & j\rnali/s 9 ! c\ntry are
 cont9ually ?reat5$1 h>ass$1 su$1       
surveill$1 jail$1 & =c$ into exile1     
accord+ to ! ,committee to ,protect     
,j\rnali/s1 includes--  7#a7 ,miguel    
,m5doza1 :o1 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 #e1     
#bjbc 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 9 ,p]u1 crim9al      
defamation lawsuits1 legislation1 &     
re/rictive accr$itation s*emes =        

j\rnali/s t und]m9e fre$om ( expression 
h be5 us$ to h>ass & sil5ce inve/igative
 j\rnali/s :o write ab\t prom95t        
political figures1 & ! unlawful /ate    
repression ( prote/ors has also increas$
 ! risk to j\rnali/s cov]+ ongo+ social 
unre/ 9 ,p]u1 z corroborat$ by ! w\nd+ (
 sev]al j\rnali/s by rubb] pellets & te>
 gas cani/]s 9 police & milit>y         
op]ations ?r\gh\t #bjbb & #bjbc1 :i* h  
be5 condemn$ by int]national            
organizations z violat+ int]national    
/&>ds on ! use ( =ce1 accord+ to !      
,committee to ,protect ,j\rnali/s &     
,amne/y ,int]national2 ,:]eas 9         
,ecuador1 a gr\p ( presum$ gang memb]s  
/orm$ a local news /ation 9 ,guayaquil  
on ,janu>y #i1 #bjbd1 dur+ a live       
broadca/1 :i* ev9ces ! c\ntry's wors5+  
security condition amid organiz$ crime  
activity t1 accord+ to ! ,committee to  
,protect ,j\rnali/s1 =c$ at lea/ #e     
j\rnali/s to leave ,ecuador betwe5      
,april & ,octob] #bjbc2 ,:]eas 9        
,v5ezuela1 ! ,maduro regime cont9ues to 

t>get indep5d5t m$ia outlets1 to re/rict
 ! ex]cise ( fre$om ( expression1 & to  
sev]ely limit access to accurate        
in=mation1 ) local civil society        
organization ,public ,space 7,espacio   
,pblico7 regi/]+ #cdi attacks on        
j\rnali/s & m$ia work]s betwe5 ,janu>y &
 ,novemb] #bjbc1 includ+ c5sor%ip1 v]bal
 attacks1 & intimidation2 ,:]eas 9      
,sudan1 ! ,unit$ ,nations ,panel (      
,exp]ts report$ t at lea/ #ae1jjj p di$ 
z a result ( ! ,rapid ,support ,=ces    
(f5sive 9 ,we/ ,d>fur 9 #bjbc1 t5s (    
?\s&s m p are believ$ to h be5 kill$1 & 
m ?an #h1jjj1jjj p h be5 displac$1 & :]e
 fre$om ( ! press & ! safety ( j\rnali/s
 has sev]ely det]iorat$1 z evid5c$ by   
attacks on indep5d5t m$ia & ! kill+s1   
arre/s1 det5tions1 h>assm5t1 & beat+s ( 
j\rnali/s1 :i*1 accord+ to ! ,committee 
to ,protect ,j\rnali/s1 includes-- 7#a7 
! kill+ ( ,halima ,idris ,salim1 a      
#bi-ye>-old report] = local indep5d5t   
onl9e news outlet ,sudan ,bukra1 on     
,octob] #aj1 #bjbc1 :5 ,rapid ,support  

,=ces soldi]s ran h] ov] ) _! c> :ile %e
 0 cov]+ heal? conditions ( a hospital's
 em]g5cy w+ 9 ,omdurman2  7#b7 reports t
 ! ,rapid ,support ,=ces has cut access 
to telecommunications & int]net s]vices 
s9ce e>ly ,febru>y #bjbd1 leav+         
civilians 9 a communications black\t &  
mak+ report+ on ! w> ne>ly impossible2 &
  7#c7 ! =c$ closure ( all pr9t m$ia 9 !
 c\ntry1 ! bann+ ( =eign news *annels1 &
 =c+ j\rnali/s into exile2  ,:]eas press
 fre$om cont9ues to face *all5ges 9     
sub-,sah>an ,africa1 includ+-- 7#a7 9   
,e?iopia1 :i*1 accord+ to ! ,committee  
to ,protect ,j\rnali/s1 is ! second-wor/
 jail] ( j\rnali/s 9 sub-,sah>an        
,africa1 & :]e a crackd[n on ! press has
 includ$--  7,a7 an entr5*$ patt]n (    
arbitr>ily deta9+ j\rnali/s1 ) at lea/  
#h j\rnali/s beh9d b>s z ( ,decemb]     
#bjbc2  7,b7 significant due process &  
fair trial conc]ns 9 ! cases ( deta9$   
j\rnali/s1 su* z ! ,may #bjbc arre/ (   
onl9e j\rnali/ ,gobeze ,sisay 9         
neighbor+ ,djib\ti & subsequ5t transf]  

to ,e?iopia "u uncle> circum/ances2     
7,c7 ! det5tion ( j\rnali/s arre/$ "u   
/ate ( em]g5cy provisions at a milit>y  
camp 9 ea/]n ,e?iopia )\t judicial      
ov]sight or access to family or legal   
c\nsel2  7,d7 ! use ( ,int]net          
disruptions dur+ times ( political      
t5sion or 9 re/ive p>ts ( ! c\ntry1     
includ+ ! ,oromia & ,amh>a regions1 mak+
 x difficult = j\rnali/s to report      
safely & freely2  7,e7 ! failure to     
provide a cr$ible acc\nt+ = ! #bjba     
kill+s ( j\rnali/s ,dawit ,keb$e ,araya 
& ,sisay ,fida2  7,f7 ! consi/5t        
p]secution ( m$ia try+ to cov] !        
conflict & viol5ce 9 ! ,oromia & ,amh>a 
regions1 includ+ ! det5tion ( at lea/ #f
 j\rnali/s1 z ( ,m>* #bg1 #bjbd1 :o 7   
report+ on ev5ts 9 ,amh>a1 accord+ to   
,report]s ,)\t ,bord]s2 &  7,g7 ! =c$   
exile & deportation ( indep5d5t         
j\rnali/s2  7#b7 9 ,nig]ia1 :]e         
j\rnali/s h be5 repeat$ly deta9$ & *>g$ 
= _! "w1 accord+ to ! ,committee to     
,protect ,j\rnali/s & ,,p5 ,am]ica1     

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 #bjbc 
,f$]al elections1 *>g$ "u ! p5al code ) 
incit+ ! public to di/urb ! ,bau*i /ate 
gov]nor1 releas$ on bail on ,m>* #a1    
#bjbc1 & faces ongo+ prosecution 9 t    
case & 9 sev]al o!rs2 &  7,d7 ,sa9t     
,mi5pamo ,onit%a1 f\nd] ( ! onl9e       
broadca/] ,,naija ,live ,,tv1 :o 0      
arre/$ on ,octob] #aj1 #bjbc1 at gunpo9t
 at ! home ( a fri5d1 *>g$ "u !         
,cyb]crimes ,act ov] a report ab\t      
t5sions 9 ! s\!rn ,nig] ,delta region1 &
 releas$ on bail aft] ne>ly #d mon?s 9  

jail2  7#c7 9 ,eritrea1 :i* is "o ( !   
_w's mo/ c5sor$ nations1 & :]e1 accord+ 
to ! ,committee to ,protect ,j\rnali/s1 
at lea/ #af j\rnali/s1 includ+ editors  
,dawit ,isaak & ,amanuel ,asrat1 are    
deta9$1 ) mo/ ( ^! det5tions comm5c+    
dur+ a #bjja crackd[n on ! indep5d5t    
press1 accord+ to ! ,committee to       
,protect ,j\rnali/s2  7#d7 9 ,cam]oon1  
:]e--  7,a7 #f j\rnali/s 7 imprison$ z (
 ,decemb] #bjbc2  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,d7 j\rnali/ ,jean-,jacques ,ola ,bebe 
0 kill$ 9 ,febru>y #bjbc1 ) no police   
inve/igation into 8 murd]2  7#e7 9      
,rw&a1 :]e ! m$ia l&scape is heavily    
re/rict$ by c5sor%ip & au?orit>ianism1 &
 :]e1 accord+ to ! ,committee to        
,protect ,j\rnali/s-- 7,a7 at lea/ #d   
j\rnali/s 7 imprison$ z ( ,decemb] #a1  
#bjbc1 #b ( :om1 ,you,tubers ,aimbale   
,k>asira ,uz>amba & ,dieudonn           

,niyons5ga1 h alleg$ torture :ile 9 /ate
 cu/ody2 &  7,b7 j\rnali/ ,john         
,williams ,ntwali1 :o1 aft] report+ on  
cases ( torture1 disappe>ances1 & =c$   
gov]nm5t evictions1 0 kill$ 9 ,janu>y   
#bjbc "u suspici\s circum/ances1 & ^:   
dea? has nev] be5 cr$ibly inve/igat$2   
7#f7 9 ,burundi1 :]e j\rnali/ ,floriane 
,irangabiye is s]v+ a #aj-ye> prison    
s5t5ce1 foll[+ a ,janu>y #bjbc          
conviction 9 connection to h] critical  
comm5t>y on gov]nance issues 9 ! c\ntry1
 accord+ to ! ,committee to ,protect    
,j\rnali/s2  7#g7 9 ,mali & 9 ,burk9a   
,faso1 :]e =eign j\rnali/s h be5 expell$
 9 ! aft]ma? ( ! c\p d'etat 9 ea*       
c\ntry1 ,fr5*-language m$ia outlets h   
be5 bann$1 & local j\rnali/s "w "u ?reat
 ( reprisal = report+ on security       
issues1 accord+ to ! ,committee to      
,protect ,j\rnali/s & ,,p5 ,am]ica2     
7#h7 9 ,nig]1 :]e j\rnali/ ,samira ,sab\
 0 deta9$ = #aa days 9 ,octob] #bjbc1 & 
*>g$ ) cyb]crime & treason 9 connection 
) h] report+1 accord+ to ! ,committee to

 ,protect ,j\rnali/s2  7#i7 9 ,s5egal1  
:]e j\rnali/s h be5 repeat$ly arre/$ &  
prosecut$ = _! "w1 attack$ by security  
=ces1 & /ruggl$ amid ,int]net %utd[ns2  
7#aj7 9 ,togo1 :]e j\rnali/s h fac$     
arre/s & prosecutions = _! "w & o!r =ms 
( intimidation1 includ+ spyw>e          
surveillance1 accord+ to ! ,committee to
 ,protect ,j\rnali/s2 &  7#aa7 9        
,zimbabwe1 :]e j\rnali/s h be5 bann$ f  
cov]+ gov]nm5t meet+s1 & ! legal        
framework = j\rnali/s rema9s h>%1       
accord+ to ! ,committee to ,protect     
,j\rnali/s2 ,:]eas1 9 ,decemb] #bjbc1 ! 
,p>liam5t ( ,hung>y pass$ a             
,russian-inspir$ national sov]eignty law
 t creat$ ! ,sov]eignty ,protection     
,au?ority 7! ,au?ority71 an in/itution )
 ! publicly decl>$ objectives ( t>get+  
j\rnali/s & id5tify+ individuals &      
organizations t receive =eign fund+ &   
:i* ! ,au?ority suspects und]m9e !      
c\ntry's national sov]eignty1 objectives
 t local m$ia outlets h w>n$ w emp[] !  
,au?ority ) ! ability to /ifle indep5d5t

 j\rnalism support$ by ov]seas donors2  
,:]eas 9 ,s]bia1 j\rnali/s suff] regul> 
onl9e h>assm5t1 sme> campaigns1 &       
physical attacks1 & ! #aiii kill+ (     
j\rnali/ ,slavko uruvija rema9s unpuni%$
 aft] ^? =m]ly convict$ = 8 murd] 7     
acquitt$1 accord+ to ! ,committee to    
,protect ,j\rnali/s2 ,:]eas 9 ,slovakia1
 accord+ to ! ,committee to ,protect    
,j\rnali/s1 m ?an #f ye>s aft] ! brutal 
kill+ ( inve/igative report] ,jn ,kuciak
 & 8 fiance1 ,m>t9a ,kunrov1 & despite !
 hitm5 & int]m$i>ies receiv+ l5g?y      
prison s5t5ces1 au?orities h be5 unable 
to convict ! alleg$ ma/]m9d2 ,:]eas 9   
,turkey1 ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,recep ,tayyip   
,erdogan ma9ta9s "o ( ! _w's mo/        
repressive environm5ts = j\rnali/s &    
cont9ues its revolv+ door policy on     
deta9+ j\rnali/s1 ) at lea/ #ac         
j\rnali/s 9 jail 9 retaliation = _!     
pr(essional "w at ! "t ( ! ,committee to
 ,protect ,j\rnali/s' mo/ rec5t prison  
c5sus1 :i* 0 publi%$ on ,decemb] #a1    
#bjbc2 ,:]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] #bjbb
 t %e _h little hope = fre$om 9 h]      
retrial1 :ile h] cont9u+ retrial has n  
in/igat$ any *anges on ! "p ( gov]nm5t  
au?orities2 ,:]eas 9 ,az]baijan1 !      
,gov]nm5t ( ,ilham ,aliyev1 :o secur$ a 
fif? t]m 9 an uncompetitive e>ly        
presid5tial election 9 ,febru>y #bjbd1  
m\nt$ a r5ew$ assault on indep5d5t m$ia 
9 rec5t mon?s by deta9+ #aj j\rnali/s1  
accord+ to ! ,committee to ,protect     
,j\rnali/s1 f outlets ,abzas ,m$ia1     
,kanal #ac1 & ,toplum ,,tv2 namely ,ulvi
 ,hasanli1 ,sev9j ,vagifgizi1 ,mahammad 
,kekalov1 ,hafiz ,babali1 ,eln>a        
,gasimova1 ,n>giz ,absalamova1 ,aziz    
,orujov1 ,%amo ,em9ov1 ,alasg>          
,mammadli1 & ,mu%fig ,jabb>1 con/itut+ a
 crackd[n on j\rnali/s t 0 9 "p         
retaliation = _! report+ on (ficial     
corruption2 ,:]eas1 ! ,gov]nm5t (       
,tajiki/an cont9u$ its sy/ematic        

repression ( ! free press 9 #bjbb & #bc 
by s5t5c+ #g 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 accord+ to ! ,committee to 
,protect ,j\rnali/s1 includ+--  7#a7    
,ulfatkhonim ,mamad%oeva1 a #fg-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  ,:]eas !    
,gov]nm5t ( ,kyrgyz/an1 s9ce ! beg9n+ ( 
#bjbb1 has tak5 worry+ /eps to dismantle
 ! c\ntry's previ\sly vibrant press     
environm5t1 includ+ by-- 7#a7 deta9+ #aa
 curr5t & =m] /aff ( ! inve/igative     
report+ outlet ,temirov ,live1 :o h     
report$ on corruption allegations among 
high-level gov]nm5t (ficials1 s9ce      
,janu>y #bjbd1 accord+ to ! ,committee  

to ,protect ,j\rnali/s2  7#b7 impos+    
spuri\s *>ges ( illegal drug manufacture
 on ,krygyz/an-born inve/igative        
j\rnali/ ,bolot ,temirov & deport+ him  
to ! ,russian ,f$]ation 9 retaliation = 
8 report+ on corruption 9 ! gov]nm5t's  
procurem5t processes1 accord+ to !      
,committee to ,protect ,j\rnali/s2  7#c7
 %utt]+ & block+ inve/igative outlet    
,kloop1 :i* is kn[n = its report+ on    
high-level gov]nm5t corruption1 accord+ 
to ! ,committee to ,protect ,j\rnali/s2 
7#d7 enact+ ! s-call$ ,=eign            
,repres5tatives legislation1 :i* w      
e/abli% ext5sive /ate control ov]       
ext]nally-fund$ press fre$om gr\ps &    
nongov]nm5tal organizations t run       
prom95t news sites2 &  7#e7 raid+       
indep5d5t news ag5cy #bd4kg on fabricat$
 *>ges1 accord+ to ! ,committee to      
,protect ,j\rnali/s2  ,:]eas 9 ,alg]ia1 
press fre$om cont9u$ to det]iorate at an
 al>m+ pace 9 #bjbc1 ) #c j\rnali/s 9   
jail z ( ,decemb] #bjbc1 accord+ to !   
,committee to ,protect ,j\rnali/s1 #b ( 

:om are ! c\ntry's mo/ prom95t          
j\rnali/s1 includ+-- 7#a7 ,mu/apha      
,b5djama1 ! editor-9-*ief & director (  
local indep5d5t news website ,le        
,prov9cial1 :o 0 arre/$ on ,febru>y #h1 
#bjbc1 on =eign fund+ *>ges & is        
curr5tly s]v+ a #f-mon? prison s5t5ce = 
committ+ an illegal immigration crime2 &
  7#b7 ,ihsane ,el ,kadi1 editor-9-*ief 
( local indep5d5t news website ,maghreb 
,em]g5t & ,radio ,m1 :o 0 arre/$ 9      
,decemb] #bjbb1 & is s]v+ a #g-ye>      
prison s5t5ce on *>ges ( receiv+ =eign  
fund+ = ! news outlet he manages2 ,:]eas
 9 ,tunisia1 press fre$om has gravely   
det]iorat$ foll[+ ,presid5t ,kais       
,sai$'s dismissal ( ! prime m9i/] on    
,july #be1 #bjba1 & 8 concomitant       
susp5sion ( ! ,p>liam5t ( ,tunisia1     
accord+ to ! ,committee to ,protect     
,j\rnali/s1 9 addition to ! ,tunisian   
,gov]nm5t's imprisonm5t ( j\rnali/s 9   
#bjbc1 :i* ev9ce a national context 9   
:i* ! gov]nm5t has broadly suppress$    
press fre$om 9 ! c\ntry1 includ+ by--   

7#a7 raid+ multiple local & =eign m$ia  
outlets & news organizations1 & security
 (fic]s1 9 sev]al cases1 confiscat+ !   
organizations' broadca/+ equipm5t &     
ord]+ _! (fices to close1 notably !     
(fice ( ,al ,jaze]a2 &  7#b7 approv+ a  
new con/itution t is devoid ( necess>y  
protections = j\rnali/s to pursue _! "w 
)\t fe> ( c5sor%ip & repression2  ,:]eas
 ,unit$ ,/ates 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 & = :om !re has be5 no cr$ible   
inve/igation to pursue ju/ice aft] ne>ly
 #g ye>s2  7#b7 ,au/9 ,tice1 :o 0       
kidnapp$ 9 ,syria & has be5 held 9      
captivity s9ce ,augu/ #ac1 #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 &  7#e7 ,alsu         
,kurma%eva1 :o holds dual ,unit$        
,/ates-,russian citiz5%ip1 & :o 0 arre/$

 9 ,russia on ,octob] #ah1 #bjbc1 on    
*>ges ( failure to regi/] z a =eign     
ag5t2  ,:]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/$1 accurate1 & timely in=mation & 9 
hold+ gov]nm5ts & lead]s acc\ntable to  
citiz5s2  7#d7 recognizes ! indisp5sable
 role ( j\rnali/s & m$ia outlets 9 in=m+
 vot]s & ! int]national community ab\t  
elections 9 multiple c\ntries worldwide 
9 #bjbd2  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$om & endang] 
! safety ( j\rnali/s2  7#g7 calls = !   
unconditional & imm$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/    
,am]ican j\rnali/s2  7,c7 to support    
transp>5t inve/igations & ef=ts to      
ensure acc\ntability = attacks aga9/    
j\rnali/s ( o!r nationalities2 &  7,d7  
to promote ! respect & protection (     
press fre$om ar\nd ! _w4