Our journalists, under threat

The right to free and open access to news and information should be universal, but threats to a free press persist. Journalists reporting for USAGM networks face risks every day. USAGM strongly condemns these actions, which violate international standards by suppressing independent media and targeting journalists doing their jobs.

Tajik authorities continue to pressure RFE/RL Dushanbe Bureau

RFE/RL condemns verdict against Ukrainian journalist Aseyev

RFE/RL presses Tajikistan to accredit journalists and cease harassment

RFE/RL Condemns Latest Azerbaijan Ruling Against Ismayilova

RFA Statement on the charges against former RFA journalists in Cambodia

Two years on, RFE/RL presses for Ukrainian journalist’s release

Recently released journalists

Stanislav Vasin (Aseyev)

Blogger and contributor, RFE/RL Ukrainian Service

Stanislav Aseyev, who writes under the name Stanislav Vasin, was arrested on June 2, 2017, by Russia-backed separatists in Ukraine’s war-torn eastern Donetsk region. Two and a half years later, on December 29, 2019, Aseyev was released as part of an exchange between the separatists and Ukrainian authorities.

Oleh Halaziuk

Blogger and contributor, RFE/RL

Oleh Halaziuk was detained by Russia-backed separatists in August 2017, in connection with his reporting on the effects of the conflict on daily life in the region. Two years later, on December 29, 2019, Halaziuk was released as part of an exchange between the separatists and Ukrainian authorities.

Jailed journalists

Nguyễn Văn Hoá

Videographer and contributor, RFA Vietnamese Service

Hoá is being held in violation of Article 258 of Vietnam’s penal code, for “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe on the interests of the state,” an offense that carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.

Truong Duy Nhat

Contributor and blogger, RFA Vietnamese Service

RFA Vietnamese contributor and blogger went missing on Jan. 26 after seeking political asylum with a UN refugee agency in Thailand.

Le Anh Hung

Contributor, VOA Vietnamese Service

VOA contributor Le Anh Hung was arrested on July 5th, 2018 on the charges of "abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, lawful rights and interests of organizations and/or citizens” under Article 331 of Vietnam’s 2015 Penal Code. If convicted, he could save up to seven years in prison.