…or you might end up like one of the 56 online journalists that currently find themselves behind bars. According to an annual census released Dec. 1, by the Committee to Protect Journalists, out of the 125 jailed media workers worldwide, 45 percent are “bloggers, Web-based reporters, or online editors,” surpassing the number of print reporters, editors and photographers for the first time.
The report also noticed a rise in the imprisonment of freelance journalists, most of who work online.
CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon said:
“The image of the solitary blogger working at home in pajamas may be appealing, but when the knock comes on the door they are alone and vulnerable. All of us must stand up for their rights–from Internet companies to journalists and press freedom groups. The future of journalism is online and we are now in a battle with the enemies of press freedom who are using imprisonment to define the limits of public discourse.”
And though the top imprisoning countries include China, Cuba, Burma, Eritrea, and Uzbekistan, the U.S. is not without fault, jailing “dozens of journalists in Iraq–some for days, others for months at a time–without charge or due process.”
So what does this all mean?
Why are these governments so threatened by Joe Blogger?
With media layoffs occurring throughout the country, and freelancers being a cost-effective alternative, how does this rising threat of imprisonment affect how far they will go for a story?
How far can governments go with accusations of “subversion, divulging state secrets, and acting against national interests”?
