COLOMBO (News 1st); The number of journalists in arbitrary detention worldwide has increased by 20%, reveals a report published by global media rights group ‘Reporters Without Borders’.

Reporters Without Borders says 488 journalists, including 60 women are currently in arbitrary detention worldwide, which marks a 20% increase in comparison with 2020.

According to the media rights group, China has been named the world’s biggest jailer of journalists for the fifth consecutive year.

127 journalists are currently detained in China while 53 have been detained in Myanmar.

Reporters Without Borders further emphasizes that an average of one journalist is killed every week in connection to their occupation.

RSF has established that 65% of the journalists killed in 2021 were deliberately targeted and eliminated, whilst Mexico and Afghanistan are the two deadliest countries, with seven journalists killed in Mexico and six in Afghanistan. Yemen and India share third place, with four journalists killed in each country.

• Port City Strengthens China – Sri Lanka ties, says PM
• Major General Chandana Wickramasinghe new Army DGGS
• Cordelia Cruises to make over a dozen visits to Hambantota
• SOC says it will NOT recommend privatizing SLT
• Family dispute leads to attack inside police station