Today, on World Press Freedom Day, ALQST for Human Rights and the University of York’s Centre for Applied Human Rights (CAHR) highlight the stark reality facing journalists and writers in Saudi Arabia, where freedom of expression, both on- and offline, remains severely restricted despite official narratives of reform and modernisation.
While the Saudi authorities promote an image of openness and progress, the lived reality for journalists, writers, academics and even ordinary citizens is one of pervasive censorship, surveillance and fear of reprisals. Freedom of the press is effectively non-existent, and self-censorship has become widespread as individuals seek to avoid punishment for even mild or indirect criticism.
The consequences for expression extend far beyond traditional media. Social media activity is closely monitored, and online speech can lead to serious repercussions including detention, travel bans, dismissal from employment, and other forms of intimidation. Even peaceful expression or commentary on public affairs may be treated as a security matter; journalists and bloggers have been harassed, prosecuted and imprisoned under the broad provisions of the Anti-Cybercrime and Counterterrorism Laws. Among those still arbitrarily detained are journalist Maha al-Rafidi (despite her six-year sentence having expired); political cartoonist Mohammed “Al Hazzaa” al-Ghamdi (serving a 23-year prison term); and tech blogger and Wikipedia administrator Osama Khalid (serving 14 years). Others who have been released continue to face arbitrary restrictions such as travel bans, restrictions on employment or social media use, and electronic surveillance.
The sudden execution of journalist Turki al-Jasser in June 2025, following years of enforced disappearance, showed how far the authorities are willing to go to suppress dissenting voices. Al-Jasser used to write critically for Al-Taqrir newspaper on sensitive issues such as women’s rights, corruption and the plight of the Palestinians, but the authorities did not tolerate his peacefully expressed comments.
Saudi Arabia has meanwhile intensified its broader crackdown on dissent, including an alarming pattern of harsh sentencing and executions particularly affecting marginalised and minority communities. This wider context reinforces the severity of the restrictions placed on fundamental freedoms, including the right to express opinions and report independently. Against this backdrop, the role of journalists as documenters of human rights violations and advocates for truth and accountability becomes even more critical – and increasingly dangerous.
Freedom of expression is not a privilege to be granted or withdrawn at will; it is a fundamental human right. Its systematic restriction undermines not only individual lives but the possibility of accountability, transparency and genuine reform.
On this World Press Freedom Day, therefore, ALQST and CAHR reaffirm their solidarity with all journalists and writers in Saudi Arabia who continue to speak out despite the risks they face, and urge the international community to stand firmly in defence of press freedom and human rights. We call on the Saudi authorities to end the systematic persecution of journalists and bloggers; to immediately and unconditionally release all those detained for exercising their right to free expression; and to ensure a safe and enabling environment in which journalists can work freely, without fear of harassment or reprisals.
