Free the Press is campaign run by CPJ to raise awareness and take action around the cases of 10 journalists imprisoned on anti-state charges like terrorism charges. In its most recent prison census, CPJ found that 182 of 259 jailed journalists were serving sentences for anti-state charges. Since 2001, governments have repeatedly exploited national security laws to silence critical journalists covering sensitive issues such as insurgencies, political opposition, and ethnic minorities.

This campaign draws attention to this government tactic and calls on all governments to stop putting journalists behind bars using anti-state legislation. In particular, CPJ wants to see an end to the use of anti-terror legislation as a means of silencing the press. Journalists are not terrorists and they should not be treated as such.

From February to November 2017 CPJ will highlight the case of one journalist a month who is imprisoned on anti-state charges. Join the #FreeThePress campaign and help advocate for their release. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Spread the word

Tweet: Too many journalists are jailed on anti-state charges. Gov’ts should stop this silencing tactic & let journalists do their job #FreeThePress

Tweet: #Nigeria: #JonesAbiri has been detained too long for his journalism @MBuhari must immediately free him #freethepress http://bit.ly/2htk4KK