December 11, 2011 (ADDIS ABABA) — There are currently 52 journalists imprisoned in Africa, according to an international press freedom watchdog report, however with more than half of these being jailed in Eritrea.

In its annual special report released last week, the New York based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) revealed that there are currently 28 journalists imprisoned in Eritrea, making the Red Sea nation the second most jailer country globally after Iran which leads the list for the second consecutive year with 42 journalists in prison.

“While it is very difficult to obtain details from Eritrea, CPJ continues to gather information on the imprisoned from journalists who have recently escaped the country,” the report said.

“It is an abomination that of 28 journalists imprisoned in Eritrea, not a single one has ever been publicly charged with a crime,” said CPJ Executive Director, Joel Simon, further urging on Eritrean authorities to release these journalists who some still remain locked away since the country launched a crackdown on free and independent media in September 2001.

Asmara’s motivation in imprisoning journalists is unknown in most cases. However, the group said they found an environment in which state media journalists are under the absolute control of Information Ministry.

In neighboring Ethiopia, seven journalists are currently behind bars.

The press freedom campaigner group says Ethiopia has seen the highest exodus of journalists over the last decade and the number of journalists jailed would have now been even higher if so many journalists hadn’t chosen to flee their native country.

Since 2001, some 79 Ethiopian journalists have fled home in protest to growing crackdown on critical voices, according to CPJ research.

Ethiopian authorities however dismiss such allegations and argue many of the journalists were not jailed for their journalistic work but for acts against constitution such as to involvement in terror plot mainly backed by arch-foe Eritrea or for providing support to banned opposition movement.

There are 46 countries in Africa free of jailed journalists however CPJ said this doesn’t mean those countries haven’t jailed any journalists at all in 2011, but none were found as of 1 December 2011.

The annual census indicated that there are currently 179 journalists in prison across the world.

CPJ said, the stated figure excludes the many journalists imprisoned and released throughout the year.

(ST)