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Sharp Rise In Jailing of Online Journalists; Iran May Just Kill Them

Posted by timothy on from the your-ethics-may-vary dept.

bckspc writes "The Committee to Protect Journalists has published their annual census of journalists in prison. Of the 136 reporters in prison around the world on December 1, 'At least 68 bloggers, Web-based reporters, and online editors are imprisoned, constituting half of all journalists now in jail.' Print was next with 51 cases. Also, 'Freelancers now make up nearly 45 percent of all journalists jailed worldwide, a dramatic recent increase that reflects the evolution of the global news business.' China, Iran, Cuba, Eritrea, and Burma were the top 5 jailers of journalists." rmdstudio writes, too, with word that after the last few days' protest there, largely organized online, the government of Iran is considering the death penalty for bloggers and webmasters whose reports offend it.

6 of 233 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Eritrea? by QX-Mat · · Score: 0, Troll

    lol american.

  2. Here's an idea by WormholeFiend · · Score: 1, Troll

    How about detaining all Iranian diplomats until all jounalists are freed.

    I know that technically this is not allowed, but then again, jailing innocent people is not a generally accepted practice either.

  3. Journalists, or Bloggers? by RobotRunAmok · · Score: 0, Troll

    If I'm an Iranian and I make $0.30 a month from Google AdSense on my blog which reviews the latest Xbox games, and I use the release of Assassin's Creed II to launch into a bourbon and chocolate ice cream-fueled rant against everything Persian, and I'm arrested, am I an unjustly incarcerated journalist, or another idiot with too much time on his hands who doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut?

    It's one of those fine points, I'm just asking...

  4. So? by njfuzzy · · Score: 0, Troll

    If I just call myself a Journalist, and print up some business cards, and then murder someone-- Will I add to this statistic? If so, it's meaningless, and only demonstrates that in 2009 it's easier to call yourself a journalist without actually being one.

    --
    My Photography - http://ian-x.com
    The Deathlings (comic) - http://thedeathlings.com
  5. Re:Here's a thought by Bigjeff5 · · Score: 0, Troll

    Well, if he shaved it he wouldn't get his 70 virgins, now would he? (Shaving the beard is a crime in Islamic countries)

    --
    Security is mostly a superstition... Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. - Helen Keller
  6. Re:I'm not sure you have it right by Xaedalus · · Score: 0, Troll

    Post as yourself and not as an AC, and then I'll take you on.

    Coward.

    --
    Here's to hot beer, cold women, and Glaswegian kisses for all.