For the first time, more online than print journalists are jailed

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported Thursday that more online journalists are jailed than print journalists.

The New York organization announced its yearly census of 125 jailed journalists− two fewer than last year’s total− around the world. Fifty-six of the journalists consider themselves bloggers, Web-based reporters, or online editors.

China led the group 28 jailed journalists. Twenty-four of China’s journalists worked online. Cuba is second with 21, followed by Myanmar, and Eritrea.

Although the article did not offer the number of American jailed journalists, which occasionally occurs, the findings go to show how influential the internet is affecting media in other countries.

According to CPJ executive director Joel Simon said, "Online journalism has changed the media landscape and the way we communicate with each other.”

With this influence comes the attention from repressive countries. International journalists do not have access to freedom of the press as compared to America’s. The internet has the ability to access millions of people on a daily basis, thus changing countries “public discourse." It's helpful to mention that one of the most common reasons these journalists were jailed is because they acted against national interests.

I attempt to think of American journalists and how our media would be if the threat of censorship and jail were daily reminders, instructing us how to do our jobs. That image is unimaginable. I've grown up and been educated in a nation where freedom of the press is continually being challenged and fought for. Discovering that other journalists are being imprisoned for challenging their nation's interest forces me to step back and appreciate what our country has built in the past 200 years.