Since the disputed July 28 Venezuelan election, a record number of journalists have been jailed amid a climate of fear in the country, prompting reporters to exercise extreme caution by erasing bylines and even using AI news anchors to deliver stories so the journalists’ real identities are protected.
Several of the detained journalists were arrested while covering anti-government protests and face charges of terrorism, instigating violence, and hate crimes, according to a report by CPJ’s John Otis. If convicted, they could face up to 30 years in prison each, yet they have no access to private lawyers and have instead been assigned public defenders loyal to the regime of President Nicolás Maduro.
In addition, at least 14 journalists have had their passports canceled with no explanation, according to Marianela Balbi, director of the Caracas-based Instituto Prensa y Sociedad.
Belarusian filmmaker Andrey Gnyot is stuck in a legal limbo after a Serbian appeals court announced on September 11 that it had sent his extradition case to the Belgrade Higher Court for a third review. Gnyot, who is currently under house arrest, could face seven years in jail if extradited to Belarus and convicted on tax evasion charges.
The extradition could set a precedent for more transnational repression of journalists by Belarus, and could also undermine Serbia’s efforts to join the EU, according to CPJ’s Gulnoza Said.
We defend the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal.
Ryan Evans
Reuters, Ukraine
Hamza Murtaja
Record Media, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory
Ismail Al Ghoul
Al Jazeera Arabic, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory
Abu Taher Md Turab
Daily Jalalabad,Daily Naya Diganta, Bangladesh
Hasan Mehedi
Dhaka Times, Bangladesh
Murad Mirza
Cira TV, Iraq