Report: China imprisoned at least 48 journalists in 2019

• CPJ also notes the number of journalists detained by China has steadily grown since President Xi Jinping consolidated political power.

By the numbers: Nations around the world detained at least 250 journalists this year, down from the 255 arrests in 2018.

• Turkey imprisoned 47 journalists, while Saudi Arabia and Egypt both held 26.
• Eritrea arrested 16, while Iran held 11.
• Women accounted for around 8% of the journalists imprisoned globally, down from 13% last year.

What they're saying: In response to the report, Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for China's foreign ministry, told Reuters reporters in Beijing that U.S.-based institutions have no credibility.

• “You should feel lucky that you work in Beijing and not in Washington,” Chunying said.

Go deeper:

• Scoop: China tried to get World Bank to fund surveillance in Xinjiang
• China denies press credentials for WSJ reporter who wrote about Xi's family
• Judge orders Iran pay $180 million in damages for detaining Washington Post reporter