Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Newspaper editors Ferdinand Ayité and Joël Egah arrested on charges of defamation are released, but face stringent conditions.

Contempt proceedings were initiated against journalists for reporting on alleged judicial collusion to deny bail to leading opposition politicians on the eve of the 2018 general elections.

After years of intimidation and persecution, which include administrative sanctions, judicial proceedings and surveillance, Togolese journalist Ferdinand Ayité is imprisoned.

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) recognised blogger Pratasevich as a victim of arbitrary detention and urged the international community to press Belarus for his release.

The exceptional surge in arbitrary detention is due, above all, to three countries – Myanmar, where the military retook power in a coup on 1 February 2021, Belarus, which has seen a major crackdown since the disputed 2020 presidential election, and China, which is tightening its grip on Hong Kong.

Freelance photographer Soe Naing, who was arrested on 10 December while covering a silent protest in Myanmar, was declared dead today.

The parliament of Mauritius passes controversial law that doubles the licensing cost for broadcasters, while shortening the validity of the license.

“We condemn today’s decision, which will prove historic for all the wrong reasons. We fully believe that Julian Assange has been targeted for his contributions to journalism, and we defend this case because of its dangerous implications for the future of journalism and press freedom around the world” – RSF