The number of journalists imprisoned worldwide rose to 145 in December last year, the highest level since 1996, according to a new book published by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

A snapshot of the number of journalists in jail on 1 December 2010, the figure includes 34 each in China and Iran, 17 in Eritrea and 13 in Myanmar, but also in countries where the EBU has active Members:  Turkey (4), Tunisia (1), Moldova (1), in the disputed Transdniester area and Russia (1).  It does not include many more journalists imprisoned and released throughout the year.

Commenting on the figures, the EBU's Director General Ingrid Deltenre said: "Media freedom is a fundamental human right* and we condemn all violence towards journalists. The harassment and intimidation of journalists as they bring news to the world has to end immediately."

Entitled "Attacks on the Press in 2010", the book by the New York-based CPJ also surveys intimidation, attacks and murders of journalists around the world in the past year, and descriptions of developments in many countries which are affecting the way journalists can operate. Within the EBU area, the death toll included journalists in Belarus, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey.

*UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, adopted by the United Nations, 10 December 1948
Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

More information:

CPJ website:  www.cpj.org
To request a copy of the book or other CPJ publications, email [email protected].