533 Journalists Imprisoned by Early December 2022: Where Were Most Imprisoned?

A total of 533 journalists were imprisoned for their work, according to Reporters Without Borders (RWB) data as of December 1, 2022. This figure represents a 13.4% increase compared to the previous year.

Of the total number of imprisoned journalists, 455 (85.4%) were male, and 78 (14.6%) were female.

China remains the country with the highest number of imprisoned journalists, with 110 currently detained. Myanmar currently holds 62 journalists behind bars, and Iran 47.

The report also counted a total of 57 journalists and media workers killed in 2022 while carrying out their work, including eight deaths in Ukraine. Additionally, RWB recorded 532 imprisoned journalists as of December 14, 2022.

For journalists, Mexico was the most dangerous country in the world, with 11 journalists killed in 2022, representing 20% of journalist deaths worldwide. This is higher than the seven deaths recorded in 2021. According to RWB records, at least 80 journalists have been killed in connection with their work in Mexico over the past ten years.

Ukraine also became the second most dangerous country for media workers following the Russian invasion. RWB counted 8 deaths in the country by the end of 2022.

"These include Maks Levin, a Ukrainian photojournalist who was deliberately shot by Russian soldiers on March 13," according to RWB's investigative conclusions. Russia itself currently imprisons 18 journalists.

According to RWB, almost 80% of media professionals killed intentionally in 2022 were targeted in connection with their work or the stories they covered. This coverage related to organized crime, such as mafias, drug trafficking, gang violence, and corruption.

Reporting on these two topics resulted in the killings of 13 and 12 journalists, respectively, in 2022. Furthermore, 4 journalists working on deforestation and land grabbing by large businesses were also killed during the past year.