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.
HAITI: Hostile Environment and First Aid
Detained U.S. journalist Alsu Kurmasheva marks 100 days in a Russian prison
Martí condemns targeting of contributor by Cuban officials
RFE/RL condemns new charges against American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva in Russia
USAGM CEO Bennett condemns new charges against unjustly detained RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva
Cases We're Watching
Ihar Losik
Journalist, RFE/RL
Imprisoned
Ihar Losik, RFE/RL Belarus Service journalist, was arrested on June 25, 2020, and accused by authorities of using his popular Telegram channel to “prepare to disrupt public order” ahead of the 2020 presidential elections in the country.
Truong Duy Nhat
Contributor and blogger, RFA Vietnamese Service
Jailed
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
Jailed
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.
Nguyen Tuong Thuy
Contributor, RFA Vietnamese
Imprisoned
Nguyen Tuong Thuy, contributor to RFA, received an 11-year prison sentence for “making, storing, and disseminating documents and materials for anti-state purposes.”
Pham Chi Dung
Reporter and Blogger, VOA Vietnamese Service
Imprisoned
VOA Vietnamese freelance blogger, Pham Chi Dung, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for “dangerous actions” against the Hanoi government.
Bashar Fahmi
Correspondent, Alhurra TV
Missing
The Alhurra correspondent went missing while reporting in Aleppo, Syria, in August 2012.
Vladyslav Yesypenko
Journalist, RFE/RL
Imprisoned
RFE/RL freelance reporter Vladyslav Yesypenko was arrested after attending a peaceful gathering in Simferopol, Ukraine. He was detained on suspicion of collecting information for Ukrainian intelligence and sentenced to six years in prison.
Andrey Kuznechyk
Journalist, RFE/RL
Imprisoned
Andrey Kuznechyk, a correspondent for RFE/RL Belarus Service, was detained on November 25, 2021. He was taken from outside his apartment in Minsk by four unidentified men in plain clothes. At the time, no reason for his detention.
Sithu Aung Myint
Contributor, VOA
Imprisoned
VOA contributor Sithu Aung Myint was arrested on August 15, 2021, on charges of incitement and defaming the armed forces and state. On October 6, 2022, he was sentenced to three years in prison for hard labor.
Nguyen Lan Thang
Contributor, RFA Vietnamese service
Imprisoned
RFA contributor Nguyen Lan Thang was sentenced to six years in prison and two years of probation on
Alsu Kurmasheva
Journalist, RFE/RL
Jailed
Alsu Kurmasheva is a journalist with RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir Service. Kurmasheva has been detained by authorities in Kazan, Russia since October 18, 2023. She is charged with failure to self-register as a “foreign agent" and disseminating “fake” news about Russia’s armed forces. #FreeAlsu
Uon Chhin
Former Videographer and Contributor, RFA Khmer Service
Jailed
Former Radio Free Asia (RFA) Khmer Service reporter was arrested under suspicion of espionage and could face up to 15 years in jail if convicted. He is currently out on bail, but remains in legal limbo.
Yeang Sothearin
Former Bureau Chief and Reporter, RFA Khmer Service
Jailed
Former Radio Free Asia (RFA) Khmer Service reporter was arrested over the installation of broadcasting equipment to allegedly report back to the agency’s office without government permission. He is currently out on bail, but remains in legal limbo.