Over the last decade and even longer, the news industry has experienced tremendous change with the collapse of print advertising, the proliferation of free internet sources, the related rise in social media, and the advent of fake news. However, the industry and journalists are facing an even more daunting threat with attacks on the freedom of the press. Yesterday, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the advocacy and research group the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) noted the suppression of journalists is on the rise. As of 1 December 2022 CPJ data found there were 363 imprisoned journalists, up from 302 in 2021 and 248 a decade ago. Further, CPJ notes that during 2022 67 journalists were killed, some while in action in danger zones, but many also deemed murdered. News may often appear to be available for free, but there are all real costs to the free press.
Source: Committee to Protect Journalists, May 2023