Committee to Protect Journalists – Defending Journalists Worldwide.

In post-election Venezuela, journalist jailings reach record high

Relatives of Venezuelans who were detained after the July presidential election march to advocate for their release, in Caracas, Venezuela, September 11, 2024. (Photo:Reuters/Maxwell Briceno)

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.

CPJ calls for UN to investigate Israel’s murder of Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah

Issam Abdallah's aunt — The aunt of Issam Abdallah, a Reuters video journalist who was killed in southern Lebanon, reacts during a candlelight vigil for him, in Beirut on October 20, 2023. (Photo: Reuters/Amr Alfiky)

The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 10 press freedom and human rights organizations in a letter to the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel to investigate and help provide accountability for the murder of Reuters video journalist Issam Abdallah, who was killed by Israeli forces in south Lebanon on October 13, 2023, and for the killings of other journalists.

The September 11 urged the commission to conduct its own inquiry into Israel’s October 13 attack and into possible war crimes against journalists.

The Committee to Protect Journalists promotes press freedom worldwide.

We defend the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal.

Journalists Attacked

Myat Thu Tan

MURDERED

Myat Thu Tan, a contributor to the local news website Western News and correspondent for several independent Myanmar news outlets, was shot and killed on January 31, 2024, while in military custody in Mrauk-U in Myanmar’s western Rakhine State.

He was arrested on September 22, 2022, and held in pre-trial detention under a broad provision of the penal code that criminalizes incitement and the dissemination of false news for critical posts he made on his Facebook page. Myat Thu Tan had not been tried or convicted at the time of his death.

The journalist’s body was found buried in a bomb shelter, with the bodies of six other political detainees, and showed signs of torture.

Myanmar’s military junta has cracked down on journalists and media outlets since seizing power in a February 2021 coup.

Learn more about Myat Thu Tan