A total of 330 journalists were imprisoned worldwide for their work at the end of 2025, marking the fifth consecutive year the number has exceeded 300, according to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The New York-based press freedom watchdog released its annual census on Wednesday, revealing that China held the most imprisoned journalists with 50 as of 1 December, followed by Myanmar with 30 and Israel with 29 Palestinian journalists detained.
Russia held 27 imprisoned journalists, including five Ukrainians, whilst Belarus held 25 and Azerbaijan 24.
The total represents the third highest number recorded since the CPJ began its census in 1992, falling just short of the record 384 journalists imprisoned at the end of 2024.
“These record-setting numbers reflect growing authoritarianism and escalating numbers of armed conflicts worldwide,” the CPJ said in its report.
According to the organisation, almost half of the imprisoned journalists had not been convicted of a crime. Of those who had been convicted, more than a third were serving prison sentences exceeding five years.
Nearly a third of detained journalists experienced mistreatment, the CPJ said, with 20 per cent reporting claims of torture or beatings. Since 1992, Iran has recorded the highest incidence of torture and beatings, followed by Israel and Egypt.
Asia remained the region with the most imprisoned journalists in 2025, holding 110 in total. Beyond China and Myanmar, Vietnam held at least 16 journalists, Bangladesh four, India three, and the Philippines one.
The United States detained Salvadoran journalist Mario Guevara in June after he covered a protest against President Donald Trump, but he was deported over his immigration status before the 1 December census was taken.
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