Fewer Journalists Jailed in 2025, But Press Freedom Still at Risk

In 2025, there was a drop in the number of journalists locked up around the world. However, the situation is still far from good. As of December 1, 330 journalists were in jail. This is a decrease from the record high of 384 in 2024. But why does this matter? China leads the way in jailing journalists, with 50 behind bars. Myanmar follows with 30, and Israel has 29. All the journalists in Israel are Palestinian. This shows a troubling pattern. Both dictatorships and democracies are using jails to silence journalists and stop independent reporting.The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) warns that press freedom is still under threat. Nearly one in five jailed journalists reported being tortured or beaten. This is not just about numbers. It's about the safety and freedom of those who bring us the news. The embassies of China, Myanmar, and Israel did not respond to requests for comment. This silence speaks volumes. It shows a lack of accountability and transparency. In 2025, 127 journalists and media workers were killed on the job. This highlights the dangerous reality of journalism today. It's a profession that puts lives at risk every day.