China leads the world in the imprisonment of journalists, with the majority being Uyghurs. Charges are often vague, and China is trying to silence minority voices.
China: The World’s Worst Jailer of Journalists
A recent report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) revealed that China is the worst jailer of journalists in the world. The report, conducted on Dec. 1, 2023, found that there was a spike in arrested journalists, with 320 believed to be behind bars – close to a record high. More than half of jailed journalists were charged with false news, anti-state, or terrorism charges in retaliation for their coverage.
According to the report, China led all countries, with 44 journalists in prison, accounting for 32% of the worldwide total. Nearly half of the imprisoned journalists in China are Uyghurs who reported on the persecution of the mostly Muslim group in Xinjiang, with 19 Uyghur journalists imprisoned.
Uyghur Journalists Targeted
The disproportionate number of jailed Uyghur journalists mirrors the situation in Xinjiang. Uyghur journalists have been targeted under vague charges such as inciting separatism or being ‘two-faced,’ reflecting the Chinese government’s harsh attempt to silence minority voices and independent reporting. The report emphasized that China’s media repression highlights the government’s attempt to crush the voices of Uyghurs.
Call for Release of Imprisoned Journalists
The long-term sentences for Uyghur journalists were described as “outrageous and cruel,” and the Chinese government was called upon to release all its imprisoned journalists and allow all journalists to freely report in Xinjiang. The report also highlighted the importance of the work of Uyghur journalists, as they are the voices of the Uyghur people in the world and report on Uyghur issues.