Working to Free Imprisoned Journalists
RFE/RL advocates on behalf of its journalists who have been imprisoned because of their work. They must be released immediately to their families. Journalism is not a crime.
Advocacy
RFE/RL journalists and staff work in challenging media environments, often at great personal cost. We uphold the rights of persecuted journalists and advocate for press freedom.
Advocating for Press Freedom
Alongside providing accurate, uncensored news and open debate in countries where a free press is threatened, RFE/RL upholds the rights of persecuted journalists and advocates for press freedom.
Advocacy is essential to our work, and our priorities reflect our mission to promote human rights and democratic values. For 75 years, RFE/RL has defended its journalists against attempts to silence them. We continue to use advanced technological tools to circumvent censorship to ensure that our audiences can access trusted, independent reporting.
Across RFE/RL’s broadcast region, we are witnessing the rapid proliferation of new legal frameworks to censor free expression and criminalize independent journalism, including so-called foreign agent laws and disinformation bills. We are partnering with human rights defenders to push back against this dangerous trend and protect press freedom.
Support Independent Journalism
Join us in advocating for press freedom and supporting RFE/RL journalists who have been unjustly imprisoned.
Farid
Mehralizada
Farid Mehralizada is an economist and journalist for RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani Service who has been unjustly detained in Baku since May 30, 2024.
Nika
Novak
Nika Novak is a journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)’s Russian Service, known as Radio Svoboda, who has been unjustly detained in Russia since December 25, 2023.
Advocacy priorities
Latest Updates
RFE/RL Journalist Ihar Losik and Former Havel Fellow Alena Tsimashchuk Released from Detention in Belarus
RFE/RL journalist Ihar Losik and former Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellow Alena Tsimashchuk have been freed from unjust imprisonment in Belarus.
Journalists in Trouble: RFE/RL Journalist Placed in Solitary Confinement in Russia
Nika Novak placed in solitary confinement; Farid Mehralizada sentenced to nine years in prison; RFE/RL challenges accreditation denials in Kazakhstan; and more.
US District Court Orders USAGM to Pay RFE/RL for Rest of Fiscal Year
Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has granted Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)’s request for a preliminary injunction in its lawsuit against the…
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RFE/RL journalists and staff face intimidation, physical harm, and imprisonment because of their work. It is RFE/RL’s top priority to advocate for the release of our imprisoned journalists and ensure our staff can do their jobs safely.
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