Journalists Jailed at Christmas

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At this time of year, it seems only appropriate to spare a moment's thought for those in a less fortunate situation than ourselves. Among them a blogger should remember who bring the news we use in our own activities. This year has not been a good one for journalism:

The Committee to Protect Journalists said in a report Tuesday that a record-number 232 journalists are imprisoned worldwide and that Turkey has the highest number with 49 journalists behind bars. The [overall] total is 53 more than the tally last year and is the highest number since the New York-based organization began conducting worldwide surveys in 1990. The census of journalists behind bars on Dec. 1 found that anti-state charges such as terrorism, treason and subversion were the most common brought against journalists in 2012. At least 132 journalists are being held around the world on such charges, CPJ said.[...] CPJ said the second-worst jailer of the press is Iran, with 45 behind bars [...] China was third with 32 journalists behind bars, 19 of them Tibetans or Uighurs imprisoned for documenting ethnic tensions, CPJ said.[...] The overwhelming majority of the 232 detainees are local journalists being held by their own governments. Just three foreign journalists were on the list.

Spare a thought at Christmas for those who are persecuted for writing truthfully about what others in power would prefer them to keep quiet. Ask yourselves how much you value truth and free exchange of information.

USA Today, 'Report: Record 232 journalists jailed worldwide', December 11, 2012.