This year in press freedom: Murders of journalists nearly double in 2018

CPJ releases its annual report on journalists killed in 2018. Mexican journalists face deadly dangers when covering crime and politics. Lawsuits and economic crisis drive Venezuela’s journalists into exile.

CPJ’s annual report found that between January 1 and December 14, 2018, 34 journalists were murdered in reprisal of their work, nearly double the number of such murders in 2017. At least 53 journalists in 16 countries were killed in the line of duty during the year, with Afghanistan the deadliest country for journalists. Check out CPJ’s video and database to learn more.

Global press freedom updates

• CPJ calls on Cameroonian President Paul Biya to release critically ill journalist
• CPJ and First Look Media’s Press Freedom Defense Fund announce legal support to defend fearless journalism. The first recipients will be embattled Philippine news outlet Rappler and its founder, CEO, and executive editor, Maria Ressa.
• Nicaraguan police raid independent news organization, take equipment and documents
• Venezuela’s biggest daily, El Nacional, is latest casualty of newsprint restrictions
• Police, ‘yellow vest’ protesters both target journalists in France, Belgium
• Two Jordanian journalists jailed for 2 days for inserting Turkey’s celebrity chef Salt Bae into da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’
• Read the latest Turkey Crackdown Chronicle, CPJ’s weekly round-up of press freedom violations in the country

Spotlight

The launch of CPJ’s report on journalists killed in the line of duty is an important reminder of the price so many journalists pay simply for doing their jobs. Among the most high-profile murders of 2018 was that of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. With the #JusticeForJamal campaign, you can help honor Jamal, and add your voice to the call for justice by telling the world why journalism matters to you. Fill out CPJ’s online cards, share the image on social media using the hashtag #JusticeForJamal, and help us ensure that justice is served.

What we are reading

• In ‘fake news’ crackdown, Egypt is a world leader on jailing journalists, bloggers and social media users — Salma Islam, The Los Angeles Times
• Podcast: Jailing of Journalists Worldwide, with CPJ’s Editorial Director Elana Beiser — Devin Stewart, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs
• Why Were So Many Journalists Murdered in 2018? — CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon, The New Republic
• In Cameroon, journalists are being jailed on charges of ‘fake news’ — Siobhán O’Grady, The Washington Post