WASHINGTON: At least 250 journalists are jailed around the world, with the largest number held in China, amid a growing crackdown by authoritarian regimes on independent media, a press watchdog group said Wednesday.
Many of those imprisoned face “anti-state” charges or are accused of producing “false news,” according to the report by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists which also cited Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Eritrea, Vietnam, and Iran for their jailing of journalists.
The press freedom watchdog said it counted at least 48 journalists jailed in China, one more than in 2018, as President Xi Jinping ramps up efforts to control the media.
That put China ahead of Turkey, which has 47 imprisoned journalists — and the largest number over the previous three years.
The report said the situation in Turkey, which had 68 journalists jailed last year, is not really an improvement but “reflects the successful efforts by the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to stamp out independent reporting and criticism.”
The CPJ said the Turkish government has shut down more than 100 news outlets and lodged terror-related charges against many of their staff, putting many reporters out of work and intimidating others.
“Dozens of journalists not currently jailed in Turkey are still facing trial or appeal and could yet be sentenced to prison, while others have been sentenced in absentia and face arrest if they return to the country,” the committee said.
The report said authoritarianism, instability and protests in the Middle East led to a rise in the number of journalists locked up in the region, with Saudi Arabia on a par with Egypt as the third worst jailer worldwide, each with 26 imprisoned.
In Saudi Arabia, no charges have been disclosed against 18 of the journalists behind bars, and CPJ expressed concern over reports of “beating, burning and starving political prisoners, including four journalists.”
Several of the arrests in Egypt came ahead of protests against corruption in September, which included calls for President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to resign.
Campaigners say the global total of 250 remains disturbingly high even if it is slightly below the 255 counted in 2018 and the record 273 in 2016.
“CPJ believes that journalists should not be imprisoned for doing their jobs,” the group said in its report.
It cited the case of Chinese freelance journalist Sophia Huang Xueqin, arrested in October after writing about marching with pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
It also highlighted the case Egyptian economics reporter Mohammad Mosaed, detained after tweeting during an Internet shutdown intended to suppress news of protests against high fuel prices.
Globally, the number charged with ‘false news’ rose to 30 compared with 28 last year. This charge is used most frequently in Egypt but has also been leveled against journalists in Russia and Singapore.
China biggest jailer of journalists, as press dangers persist: watchdog
China biggest jailer of journalists, as press dangers persist: watchdog
- Many of those imprisoned face ‘anti-state’ charges or are accused of producing ‘false news’
- Press freedom watchdog says it counted at least 48 journalists jailed in China
RT Arabic opens its first Riyadh studio, inaugurates with first live show
- Program will broadcast twice a month
- Will be part of a series of analytical shows focusing on developments broadcast by RT Arabic from various global capitals
RIYADH: Widely regarded in the region as a trusted and reliable news network, RT Arabic (Russia Today) officially opened RT Studio Riyadh on Tuesday, allowing the centennial of Russia-Saudi Arabia diplomatic relations to usher in a new age of media relations as well.
The program will broadcast twice a month and will be part of a series of analytical shows focusing on regional and global developments broadcast by RT Arabic from various capitals around the world, such as “Studio Cairo,” “Studio Beirut,” “Studio Washington,” and “Studio Paris.”
It will be hosted by veteran Saudi journalist Mohammed Al-Rashed, who has more than 20 years of experience.
In his opening remarks, Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sergey Kozlov spoke of the century-long relationship between the two countries beginning in 1926 when the Soviet Union became the first state to formally recognize the Kingdom of Hejaz and Najd.
Those bilateral ties have evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership that spans sectors such as energy, agriculture, industry, investment, science and education, culture and media, and humanitarian cooperation.
“Our friendship is built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared vision for the future,” he said.
Recent milestones include a growing tourism exchange, marked by a new mutual visa-exemption agreement in December 2025, and increased air connectivity through direct flights between Moscow-Riyadh and Moscow-Jeddah.
The ambassador also highlighted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Moscow in 2017 and President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Riyadh in 2019 as pivotal moments in advancing relations.
RT Studio Riyadh will “strengthen understanding between our peoples and provide viewers with deeper insight into political, cultural, and social developments in both countries,” he said.
Feb. 10 was also Russian Diplomatic Worker’s Day, an occasion that the presenters believe added symbolic significance to the launch.
The Kingdom’s Minister of Media Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari was also present to celebrate the studio’s inauguration and expressed Saudi Arabia’s eagerness to strengthening its media partnerships.
“We are keen to support international media institutions and provide them with all necessary services to carry out their professional mission with ease and transparency,” he said.
That same evening, Al Riyadh newspaper signed a memorandum of understanding with RT promising news exchange and joint training cooperation.
The managing editor at Al Riyadh, Nawal Aljabr, described Studio Riyadh as a bridge connecting Russian and Arab audiences and an opportunity to explore future cooperation opportunities.
The inaugural guest of the platform was Prince Turki Al-Faisal, chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies.
The episode aired live at the opening on Tuesday and discussed topics pertaining to the historical roots of Saudi-Russian relations, the durability of ties amid global geopolitical shifts, and future cooperation prospects, as well as the Kingdom’s role regionally and internationally.
Each episode will run for 26 minutes and feature a discussion between Al-Rashed and a chosen guest on a current affairs topic.
RT Arabic, established in 2007, is the first Russian 24-hour Arabic-language news channel. It has become one of the most prominent and influential media outlets in the Middle East.
