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.

North Korean soldier jailed for listening to RFA

Preparing for media restrictions in East Africa

Belarus broadens assault against RFE/RL

Journalists in Tajikistan denied accreditation. Again.

VOA statement on the sentencing of brother of VOA Persian television host

Ahead of presidential poll, Belarus targets RFE/RL and independent press

Cases We're Watching

Status

Schemes

RFE/RL and Ukrainian Public Television

HARASSED

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 as they report on regions in conflict or transition.

Svetlana Prokopyeva

Contributor, RFE/RL’s Russian Service

HARASSED

Russian journalist and RFE/RL contributor, Svetlana Prokopyeva was charged with publicly justifying terrorism. Prokopyeva denies the charges and claims the case is an attempt by Russia to curtail freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

Nguyễn Văn Hoá

Videographer and contributor, RFA Vietnamese Service

JAILED

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

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

JAILED

Police in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi arrested RFA blogger Nguyen Tuong Thuy on May 23, 2020, accusing him of “making, storing, and disseminating documents and materials for anti-state purposes,” his wife told RFA.