China Named 2019's Biggest Jailer of Journalists

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, in 2019 China surpassed Turkey for the dubious distinction of world’s biggest jailer of journalists. According to CPJ, China is holding at least 48 journalists for reasons connected to their work. When asked to respond, a Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman said that “no one is above the law.” This attitude shows why America’s leadership on this issue is vital. Without a strong global voice to push back against the wave of anti-press sentiment we are seeing now, authoritarians like China’s Xi Jinping will only feel more emboldened to go after outlets and reporters whose coverage he disagrees with.