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A total of 65 journalists were killed and 326 others were detained in connection with the provision of news and information around the world, according to the annual report published on Tuesday by the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) France-based media watchdog.

According to RSF's tally, China and Turkey imprisoned most journalists this year with 52 and 42 held respectively. 

Syria (24), Iran (23) and Vietnam (19) were the other top five jailers of journalists.

The report says there are more than 100 reports behind bars in Turkey, with the detention of 42 of them evidently linked to their professional work.

According to the report, prey to an unprecedented purge since a coup attempt in July 2016, Turkey continues to be the world’s biggest prison for professional journalists.

The RSF also stated that with the State of Emergency declared in the wake of July 15, 2016 coup attempt, “the right to due process no longer exists and arbitrary decision-making affects everyone”. 

The authors of the report remind that some journalists have been awaiting a verdict behind bars in Turkey for 18 months.

The RSF also referred to the case of Die Welt correspondent Deniz Yücel, who has been imprisoned in Turkey since February 2017, adding he is also the victim of a conflict for which he is not responsible. “A Turkish-German dual national, the 44-year-old Yücel is accused of “terrorist propaganda” and “inciting hatred,” but has yet to be issued a proper indictment,” the report said.