Online journalists jailed more than any other medium

Worldwide, online journalists are jailed more often today than journalists working in any other medium, according to findings released Thursday by the Committee to Protect Journalists. In its annual census of imprisoned journalists, the CPJ found that 45% of all media workers jailed worldwide are bloggers, Web-based reporters, or online editors. This group represents the largest professional category for the first time in CPJ's annual survey. At least 56 online journalists are imprisoned around the world, according to the census, surpassing print journalists for the first time. The number of online journalists imprisoned has increased steadily since CPJ counted an Internet writer for the first time in 1997. "Online journalism has changed the media landscape and the way we communicate with each other," CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon said in a statement. "But the power and influence of this new generation of online journalists has captured the attention of repressive governments around the world, and they have accelerated their counterattack." Print reporters, editors, and photographers constitute the next largest professional group, with 53 cases this year. Television and radio journalists and documentary filmmakers form the remaining professionals studied. In all, CPJ's survey found 125 journalists behind bars on Dec. 1. The increase in online journalists in jail correlates with a rise in the imprisonment of freelance journalists, according to CPJ. Its annual survey found 45 of the journalists counted to be freelancers, and most of them work online. This number has increased more than 40% in the last two years. China, where 24 of 28 journalists in prison worked online, continued to jail the most journalists and has held the "worst" ranking for 10 consecutive years. Other countries in the top five are Cuba, Burma, Eritrea, and Uzbekistan. Twenty-nine nations made the list. CPJ has sent letters outlining its concerns to each country that has placed a journalist in jail. In October, CPJ joined with Internet companies, human rights groups and other organizations to form the Global Network Initiative, which sets guidelines that allow Internet and telecommunications companies to protect free expression and privacy online.