PodcastAccording to CPJ Turkey jailed 47 journalists in 2019
Turkey is the second biggest jailer of journalists with 47 imprisoned in 2019, according to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists. Turkey is down from first place for the first time in four years. The report also noted that 100 news organizations were closed under the current government, and that working journalists were also in legal battles and being accused of terrorism.
Duvar English
There are 250 imprisoned journalists in the world, nearly 50 of whom are in Turkey, according to a report by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
Turkey follows China with the second largest number of journalists jailed with 47, marking a decrease from 68 last year.
This is the first time in four years that Turkey isn't at the top of the CPJ's list.
Penned by CPJ editor Elana Beiser, the report noted that over 100 news organizations have been closed under the current Turkish government and that many working journalists are being accused of terrorism and are in legal battles.
The report also said that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is aiming to “eliminate independent news and criticism.”
The report noted that Turkey and China have been going head to head for the title of “the country who imprisoned the most journalists since 1990,” which marks the first CPJ report on the topic.
In 2019, China had 48 journalists in prison, one more than last year. Saudi Arabia and Egypt tied for third place with 26 journalists incarcerated.