Russia and Azerbaijan are among the world's leading countries in the number of journalists arrested and convicted

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has released a report covering the period from December 2024 to December 2025, providing data on the state of press freedom worldwide. Currently, 503 journalists are held in prison worldwide.

The largest number is in China (121) and Russia (48). Myanmar (47), Azerbaijan (25), and Iran (21) are also among the countries with the largest number of journalists imprisoned. Turkey has three journalists in prison, and Georgia has one.

RSF emphasizes that the situation with press freedom in Russia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus remains a serious concern.

According to the report, 67 journalists were killed during the year, with the majority (53) dying while covering military conflicts and criminal gangs. Particularly alarming is the fact that 43% of these deaths were caused by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip. Three journalists were killed while covering events in Ukraine.

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