A Press Freedom Primer For Rex Tillerson

At his Senate confirmation hearings, Rex Tillerson declined to criticize the human rights records of Russia, the Philippines, and Saudi Arabia, citing the need for more information. So we have gathered some facts about freedom of the press, a key human right, in those countries—and a few others. By Ashley Parent for the Committee to Protect Journalists

1. Russia — At least 36 journalists murdered for their work since 1992. At least two in jail at the end of 2016.

2. Philippines — At least 77 journalists killed since 1992, and the site of the single deadliest incident for journalists, the Maguindanao massacre of 2009.

3. Saudi Arabia — At least six journalists jailed in 2016; Saudi Arabia was also No. 3 on CPJ’s recent list of Most Censored Countries.

4. Turkey — At least 81 journalists jailed as of December 2016, the most in any country at any one time since CPJ began keeping records.

5. China — Consistently one of the world’s worst jailers of journalists, with at least 38 in prison at the end of 2016.

6. Somalia — The highest rate of impunity in the murders of journalists worldwide.

7. Egypt — Photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid (Shawkan) has been imprisoned since 2013, but not convicted of any crime. At least 24 other journalists jailed in Egypt at end of 2016.

8. Vietnam — At least eight journalists jailed last year, most of them bloggers.

9. Ethiopia — This month, two radio journalists sentenced to four years in jail on terrorism charges for broadcasting about protests. At least 16 journalists imprisoned last year.

10. Mexico —Sixth in the world for impunity in journalist murders, with at least two murdered in 2016.