New york: Over 300 journalists remain imprisoned globally for the fifth consecutive year, with Israel ranking as the third-worst jailer of media workers, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists’ annual census. The report underscores a troubling trend of increasing authoritarianism and armed conflicts that continue to endanger press freedom worldwide.

According to Anadolu Agency, CPJ’s 2025 Prison Census reveals that more than 300 journalists were incarcerated around the world by the end of 2025. These persistent high numbers highlight the harsh conditions journalists face, often described as a “cemetery of the living,” by former prisoners. Israel has imprisoned 29 journalists as of December 1, making up 9% of the total number of jailed journalists globally.

Israel, traditionally seen as a democracy, has rapidly increased its imprisonment of Palestinian journalists since the onset of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023. Many journalists face undisclosed charges or are held without charge, contraven
ing international law. The disparity in legal standards for Palestinians in occupied territories has become a focal point, with over 90 journalists arrested during the conflict.

China remains the worst offender for the third consecutive year with 50 journalists in prison, representing 15% of the global total. Myanmar has moved to second place with 30 journalists detained, rising from third in 2024. Notably, Azerbaijan re-entered the top 10 worst jailers for the first time since 2018, with a significant crackdown on independent media leading to 24 journalists being imprisoned.

The census also highlights that the 10 worst jailers are responsible for nearly 75% of the 330 journalists imprisoned worldwide. Countries like Russia, Myanmar, Belarus, Egypt, and Eritrea have shown consistent imprisonment rates over the past five years.

While 2025 saw a slight reduction in jailed journalists, down from a record 384 in 2024, the figures remain alarmingly high. It has been over a decade since fewer than 200 journalist
s were incarcerated. More than one-third of these journalists are serving sentences over five years, with nearly half never sentenced. Additionally, 26% have been detained without sentencing for over five years, a violation of international law that mandates fair trials without undue delay.

The report emphasizes that the global decline in democracy and erosion of human rights have facilitated both new and existing authoritarian regimes in their efforts to suppress press freedom.