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.

Overcoming Global Threats to Independent Journalism

RFE/RL files its case against Russia at European Court of Human Rights

RFE/RL remembers sacrifices of Radio Free Afghanistan colleagues

RFE/RL President condemns new charges for Belarusian blogger, RFE/RL Consultant Ihar Losik

RFE/RL Belarus Consultant Ends Nearly Six-Week Hunger Strike

RFE/RL mourns the violent death of journalist Mohammad Ilyas Dayee in Afghanistan

Cases We're Watching

Status

Tatyana Voltskaya

Freelance correspondent, Radio Liberty

HARASSED

Tatyana Voltskaya, a freelance correspondent for Radio Liberty in St. Petersburg, is appealing the fine of 30,000 rubles that a court in St. Petersburg imposed on her in December 2020 for spreading false information about the coronavirus.

Ihar Losik

Social media consultant, RFE/RL

JAILED

Ihar Losik, social media consultant, RFE/RL Belarus Service, was arrested on June 25, 2020, and accused by authorities of using his popular Telegram channel to “prepare to disrupt public order” ahead of 2020 presidential elections in the country.

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

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.”