--- description: Read about the cases of 10 journalists included on the One Free Press Coalition's "10 Most Urgent" list this month title: Read About 10 Journalists Now Facing the 'Most Urgent' Threats to Press Freedom Around the World image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltae931399ccc31b16/6989477a09208fc261413914/image-anna-nimariano-2-credit-ryan-lenora-brown-the-christian-science-monitor.jpg?branch=production&width=1920&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [World](/section/world/) ## World Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [guardians](/tag/guardians/) ## guardians Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Read About 10 Journalists Now Facing the 'Most Urgent' Threats to Press Freedom Around the World by [TIME Staff](/author/time-staff/) ## TIME Staff Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Apr 1, 2019 11:00 AM CUT  Anna Nimariano, editor of the Juba Monitor in South Sudan Anna Nimariano, editor of the Juba Monitor in South SudanLenora Brown/The Christian Science Monitor by [TIME Staff](/author/time-staff/) ## TIME Staff Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Apr 1, 2019 11:00 AM CUT Amid growing concern about the number of journalists [imprisoned](https://cpj.org/reports/2018/12/journalists-jailed-imprisoned-turkey-china-egypt-saudi-arabia.php "undefined") or [killed on the job](https://cpj.org/reports/2018/12/journalists-killed-murdered-afghan-saudi-us.php "undefined") around the world, TIME partnered with a dozen leading new organizations last month to launch the [One Free Press Coalition](https://www.onefreepresscoalition.com/ "undefined"), aimed at standing up for journalists who are threatened for pursuing the truth. TIME named [The Guardians](http://time.com/person-of-the-year-2018-the-guardians/ "undefined") the 2018 Person of the Year, [recognizing four journalists and one news organization](http://time.com/person-of-the-year-2018-the-guardians-choice/ "undefined") for their work in the face of threats. And in March, the One Free Press Coalition released its [first-ever 10 Most Urgent list](http://time.com/5541286/one-free-press-10-most-urgent-journalists/ "undefined"), identifying 10 journalists around the world who are facing injustice, incarceration and other threats in connection with their work. The list will be [updated](https://www.onefreepresscoalition.com/ "undefined") on the first of every month. Read about the cases on the April list below, included in no specific order: ### 1\. [**Miroslava Breach Velducea**](https://cpj.org/data/people/miroslava-breach-velducea/ "undefined") **(**[**Mexico**](https://cpj.org/americas/mexico/ "undefined")**): Murdered for reporting on corruption and politics.** In March 2017, _La Jornada_ correspondent [**Miroslava Breach Velducea**](https://cpj.org/data/people/miroslava-breach-velducea/ "undefined") was murdered in the state of Chihuahua in connection to her reporting on links between politicians and organized crime. Prior to her death, she had received threats on at least three occasions for her reporting. Currently there is one suspect in custody, and the next hearing is expected to take place in a few months. ### 2\. [**Maria Ressa**](https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/XaZFCBB103fMP52NczY9ix "undefined") **and** [**_Rappler_**](https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/RK8WCDkwn3snjlGZi5k8-1 "undefined") **(**[**The Philippines**](https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/fLZ2CERKo3tg15XjTpD7oU "undefined")**): Arrest and legal threats for critical media outlet and its editor.** National Bureau of Investigation officers [arrested](https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/TZEiCG6wq3f0W5X9sQh-Kb "undefined") Ressa at [_Rappler_](https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/RK8WCDkwn3snjlGZi5k8-1 "undefined") on February 13 over a cyber libel case filed against her by the Justice Department. She was released the next day, but _Rappler_ faces separate retaliatory [tax charges](https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/eqweCJ6Ew3f1pEMocviH8o "undefined"). On March 28, authorities in the Philippines [issued](https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/igq-CKrAx3CB85pktGnKUJ "undefined") arrest warrants against _Rappler_ editors and executives, including Ressa, for violating laws barring foreign ownership of media. CPJ and First Look Media are partners in a [legal defense fund](https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/cjFYCL9Ay3umNn82Ir%5F0np "undefined") for journalists, of which Ressa and _Rappler_ are the first recipients. ### **3\.** [**Tran Thi Nga**](https://cpj.org/data/people/tran-thi-nga-thuy-nga/index.php "undefined") **(**[**Vietnam**](https://cpj.org/asia/vietnam/ "undefined")**)**: **Journalist accused of spreading propaganda.** After a one-day trial, Tran Thi Nga was [sentenced to nine years in prison](https://cpj.org/2017/07/vietnamese-blogger-sentenced-to-nine-years-in-pris.php "undefined") on charges of “spreading propaganda against the state.” She produced a number of videos critical of authorities on topics like toxic environmental spills and government corruption. ### 4\. [**Azimjon Askarov**](https://cpj.org/data/people/azimjon-askarov/index.php "undefined") **(**[**Kyrgyzstan**](https://cpj.org/europe/kyrgyzstan/ "undefined")**): A life sentence for documenting human rights abuses.** [Award-winning](https://cpj.org/awards/2012/azimjon-askarov-kyrgyzstan.php "undefined") Kyrgyz journalist [Azimjon Askarov](https://cpj.org/search.php?cx=002635367788333464843%3A1kfp8mbluhy&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=UTF-8&q=Azimjon+Askarov "undefined") has spent nearly nine years in prison on [trumped-up charges](https://cpj.org/reports/2012/06/in-kyrgyzstan-injustice-and-torture-in-askarov-cas.php "undefined") for his reporting on human rights violations. Despite [international condemnation](http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=19853&LangID=E "undefined"), Kyrgyz authorities have upheld his sentence.  Kyrgyz journalist Azimjon Askarov Courtesy of Sherzod Askarov ### 5\. [**Rana Ayyub**](https://cpj.org/2018/04/indian-freelancer-receives-graphic-threats-followi.php "undefined") **(**[**India**](https://cpj.org/asia/india/ "undefined")**): When reporting leads to escalating online threats.** The independent Indian journalist Rana Ayyub has spent her career covering taboo subjects, including violence against lower-caste groups and minorities in India. Because of her work, Ayyub has [faced a wave of harassment](https://www.iwmf.org/2018/04/the-iwmf-condemns-online-attack-of-indian-journalist-rana-ayyub/ "undefined") on social media, including pornographic videos with her face photoshopped in them and the publication of her address and personal phone number.  Indian journalist Rana Ayyub Marie Claire South Africa ### 6\. [**Miguel Mora and Lucía Pineda**](https://cpj.org/2018/12/nicaraguan-police-raid-independent-news-station-ar.php "undefined") **Ubau** **(**[**Nicaragua**](https://cpj.org/americas/nicaragua/ "undefined")**): Nicaraguan journalists detained amid media crackdown.** In December, Nicaraguan police [raided](https://cpj.org/2018/12/nicaraguan-police-raid-independent-news-station-ar.php "undefined") TV station 100% Noticias and arrested station director Miguel Mora and Lucía Pineda Ubau, its news director. Both journalists are being [held](https://cpj.org/blog/2019/02/cpj-rsf-call-on-nicaragua-to-release-two-journalis.php "undefined") on charges of “inciting hate and violence” and have been denied consistent access to legal services. ### 7\. [**Anna Nimiriano**](https://www.iwmf.org/reporting/she-bears-witness-to-south-sudans-turbulence-one-headline-at-a-time/ "undefined") **(**[**South Sudan**](https://cpj.org/africa/south-sudan/ "undefined")**): Newspaper editor in South Sudan, lives under constant threat.** As editor of the _Juba Monitor_, Nimiriano [fights](http://www.jubamonitor.com/the-rise-to-fame-of-a-female-journalist-anna-nimiriano/ "undefined") to keep her colleagues out of jail for their reporting, and has in the past been ordered by the government to shut down the paper. She perseveres in spite of arrest threats and [constant censorship](https://cpj.org/2016/07/south-sudan-authorities-arrest-editor-order-juba-m.php "undefined") of herself and her colleagues. ### 8\. [**Amade Abubacar**](https://cpj.org/2019/01/mozambican-journalist-arrested-held-in-military-pr.php "undefined") **(**[**Mozambique**](https://cpj.org/africa/mozambique/ "undefined")**): Mozambican journalist held in detention without trial.** Radio journalist Amade Abubacar was [arrested](https://cpj.org/2019/01/mozambican-journalist-arrested-held-in-military-pr.php "undefined") in January while photographing families fleeing militant attacks in northern Cabo Delgado province, and was detained incommunicado in a military facility. He has since been moved to a jail far from home. There are no signs he will be released any time soon as he continues to be held in detention without trial. ### 9\. [**Claudia Duque**](https://cpj.org/tags/claudia-julieta-duque "undefined") **(**[**Colombia**](https://cpj.org/americas/colombia/ "undefined")**): Human rights defender endures attacks in Colombia where impunity remains 98.81%.** The veteran investigative reporter has endured kidnapping, [illegal surveillance](https://cpj.org/blog/2016/02/are-intelligence-sector-reforms-enough-to-protect-.php "undefined"), [psychological torture](https://cpj.org/2014/12/colombian-official-convicted-of-psychological-tort.php "undefined"), and exile. Courts convicted three high-ranking officers of the Colombian security services for torturing Claudia and her daughter. As of January, all the detainees were released. The IWMF awarded Duque the [Courage in Journalism Award](https://www.iwmf.org/2010/10/claudia-julieta-duque-2010-courage-in-journalism-award/ "undefined") in 2010.  Claudia Julieta Duque of Colombia holds her 2010 Courage in Journalism Award at the International Women's Media Foundation lunch on Oct. 19, 2010 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. Stan Honda/International Women's Media Foundation ### 10\. [**Osman Mirghani**](https://cpj.org/tags/osman-mirghani "undefined") **(**[**Sudan**](https://cpj.org/mideast/sudan/ "undefined")**): Independent journalist detained, health deteriorating.** Sudanese authorities arrested Mirghani, editor in chief of the independent Sudanese newspaper _Al-Tayar_, in February. Authorities have not made public what charges he is held on, and his health has deteriorated in prison. Prior to his arrest, Mirghani had been reporting on ongoing protests in Sudan. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5560829/one-free-press-10-most-urgent-journalists-april/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5560829/one-free-press-10-most-urgent-journalists-april/"},"headline":"Read About 10 Journalists Now Facing the 'Most Urgent' Threats to Press Freedom Around the World","datePublished":"2019-04-01T11:00:00.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T04:57:09.109Z","description":"A monthly list published by the One Free Press Coalition","url":"https://time.com/5560829/one-free-press-10-most-urgent-journalists-april/","keywords":["guardians","onetime"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltae931399ccc31b16/6989477a09208fc261413914/image-anna-nimariano-2-credit-ryan-lenora-brown-the-christian-science-monitor.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"TIME Staff","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/time-staff/"}],"articleSection":"World","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltae931399ccc31b16/6989477a09208fc261413914/image-anna-nimariano-2-credit-ryan-lenora-brown-the-christian-science-monitor.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Image - Anna Nimariano 2 - credit Ryan Lenora Brown The Christian Science Monitor","caption":"Anna Nimariano, editor of the Juba Monitor in South Sudan","creditText":"Lenora Brown/The Christian Science Monitor","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/world/","name":"World"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/guardians/","name":"guardians"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/5560829/one-free-press-10-most-urgent-journalists-april/","name":"Read About 10 Journalists Now Facing the 'Most Urgent' Threats to Press Freedom Around the World"}}]}] ```