The most urgent threats to freedom of the press worldwide

COincing World Press Freedom Day (May 3) combines global media outlets One free press coal Publish this every -year -old “10 most urgent” list, paying attention to modern journalists who have been prisoned. These ten cases illuminate the efforts of governments in criminalizing the press, the mute of the media and the detention of public information.

The list shall be drawn up in cooperation with the Commission for the protection of journalists (IWMF) and journalists (RSF) without borders of journalists (CPJ), International Women's Media Fund (IWMF). In accordance CPJ dataAt the end of 2024, there were 361 journalists behind bars around the world (320 in 2023).

In August 2024, One Free Press Coalition celebrated the release of two American journalists – Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmaeva – the release of Russia's detention after their cases List of May 2024 “10 most urgent” cases of freedom of the press.

Given an increasing number of journalists who are simply considered to be doing their job and speaking, and given the successful 2024 campaign to release Gershkovich and Kurmaveva, one of the free press coalitions will unite our collective voices to support the following people and their urgent press cases.

1. Jimmy Lai (Hong Kong)

Since December 2020, Jimmy Lai Chee-Ying has been imprisoned in a single-prisoner in prison with maximum security. A 77-year-old media entrepreneur and British citizen founded a newspaper Apple every day What has since been the promotion of democracy and the press since suppressing China. Wide son sebastien told CPJ At the end of 2024, they have taken away him for his commitment to his freedom. To protect others from bravery, they have banned him human contacts. “Beijing has repeatedly late A broad trial expenditure Sitting and in the conspiracy with foreign forces to play, while wide is currently wearing 5 years and 9 months. Lai denies the accusations and has pleaded guilty. His legal team told PBS In 2024, it is broad for being a “given” journalist and writing, for raising human rights concerns with international human rights organizations, and interviewing internationally with politicians to worry about these problems. ”

2. Shin Daewe (Myanmar)

Award -winning documentary maker Shin daewe was ordered Lifetime sentence in 2024 (after that decreased up to 15 years) in the illegal possession of an unregistered drone after he was arrested and interrogated in 2023 when he was receipt The drone he had ordered on the web. According to the VOA report, Daewel was banned from legal representation and was convicted of financing terrorist activities. Her husband marked That daewe appeared The police were beaten during the interrogations based on the seams and hands visible in the head. Daewe reported For the voice of the local media group for a democratic Burmese voice and regularly freelance for radio -free Asia, contributing to environmental issues and armed conflicts about the documentary and the civilians of the country. CPJ reports myanmar as the second cart of the world journalists.

3. Frenchie mae cumpio (Philippines)

Frenchie Mae Cumpio, a journalist in Tacloban, 26, has been held five years during pre -trial detention. The authorities attacked his home in February 2020 and arrested him with his colleagues Marielle Domequil and Alexander as a assistant—Lysed for possessing firearms and financing terrorism, which he denies. Cumpio admitted that before the reidus and harassment, he was months old and, during the external investigation, it was found that military personnel planted a firearm and a grenade to blame the then 21-year-old man. His reporting included local radio communications about the abuse of military and police and independent media stories about the Philippines. In the event of a conviction, he faces up to 40 years' imprisonment.

4. Pham Doan Trang (Vietnam)

Vietnamist author, journalist and activist Pham Doan Trang, 45, was arrested In 2020 and accused “Anti -state propaganda”. He was held in incommunicado for more than one year before one day of trial and conviction In 2021, he sentenced nine years for prison. Years before his arrest he lasted Threats, brutality of the police, self -established exile and interrogations on democracy, freedom of expression, human rights, environmental impairment and women's influence. His job was appeared in The bun khoa The magazine he founded, an independent English website, Vietnam, State Media, Andexile-managed blog Danlambao. Former Pen America CEO Suzanne Nossel said In 2024, he has sacrificed his health and freedom in the administration of justice. ”

5. Ihar Losik (Belarus)

Radio -free European/Radio Liberty freelance journalist Ihar Losik was detained in June 2020 before the elections in Belarus in August. He was tried on expenditure Including “organization of rumors” and “incitement to hatred”. After a five -month closed trial in 2021, resulting in convictions of six journalists, the lottery was a lottery understood 15 years old for prison. Reports suggest that the lotter, 32, is lasted Hunger attacks, frequent cellular transfers, prohibited postal rights and self -caused injuries and is currently being kept in conjunction. In 2025 RSF submitted A complaint on his behalf in the International Criminal Court. President Alexander Lukshenko and his mode is cut down In an independent media, holding dozens of political prisonersincluding owning detained Losik's wife darya more than year After he gave an interview to Belsa, a news publication in Poland.

6. Sevinj Vagifgiz (Azerbaijan)

Since 2023, Azerbaijan has implemented a specialty suppression In an independent press, at least 16 journalists, including Sevinj Vagifgizi, are charged with the anti -corruption investigation in Abzas Media. His and five colleagues have been arrestedAnd he continues to be detained allegedly in the accusations of several financial crimes in the accusations of several financial crimes against the allegedly illegal funding of Western donors. Police claimed to find more than $ 43,000 during the search for offices. Vagifgizi and his colleagues deny accusations and claim These are the revenge of research series published in Abza Media on the richness of public figures. “This case is not about smuggling, illegal business, tax evasion or falsification of documents,” Vagifgizi, 35, said March 2025 at the hearing. “It concerns the intolerance of truth.” Journalists may have faced face to face Up to 12 years of detention.

7. Vladyslav Yesypenko (Russia)

One of at least 18 Ukrainian journalists from Russian occupied Crimea is held In Russia, Vladyslav Yesypenko has been closed for more than four years in Russia. He is a 56-year-old double-Ukrainian dual citizen and co-worker to the Crimea. Radio-free European/radioberty Ukrainian service unit, which included social and environmental problems in the Crimea, including ecological crises and the impact of Russian occupation on the region. He was arrested In 2021 and sentenced to six years in prison in 2022 (later reduced to five years). Originally detained As a suspicion of spying on the Ukrainian government, these accusations were abolished and eight days later replaced by the accusations of possessing and transporting explosives. Her employer and human rights groups are condemned The fees are made. According to RFE/RL, yesypenko recognized That he was tortured with electric shocks to force him to the wrong confession.

8. Li Yanhe (China)

China is the world's leading journalist captive with at least 150 streets behind Rsf and Cpj Reporting in December 2024. Among them was Li Yanhe, a radio manager and publisher in Taiwan arrested Two years ago to Shanghai during a trip held Incommunicado and was sentenced to $ 6900 in February 2025 and a three -year prison sentence to incite separatism. Spokesman said that li – who was born In China in 1971 and named Fu Cha – innocent guilty and did not complain. Li had migrated in Taiwan in 2009, where he founded the GUSA Press, which has published critical books for the ruling Chinese Communist Party. He also organizes a program about Chinese politics and current things about Taiwan International. GUSA press statement said“We do not see the accusation, do not know exactly what fu cha was convicted, does not know the sentence and is even more confident whether he can return home after serving the sentence.”

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In February the Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan confirmed Sentences against three journalists in the anti -corruption investigation on YouTube output Temirov lives on the accusation of calling for mass cells. The three persons are the Makhabat Tajibek Kyzy output director (sentenced to six years), presenter Azamat Ischenbekov (five years) and reporter Aike Beishekeyeva (five years after three years of probation). In January 2024, seven more colleagues were arrested but later were acquittal house arrest or released under travel ban. Also a decision attached Punishment for Kaparov, a former reporter of Temirov Live, now founded by exiled Bolot Temirov. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov dismissed journalists in September 2024 “Real” and claimed that they would distribute false information calling for unrest, “reports,” Amnesty InternationalTo.