By contrast, the number killed this year — 46 — was the lowest since it began issuing annual tallies, due to the relative stabilization of conflicts in the Middle East.

"The number of journalists detained in connection with their work has never been this high since RSF began publishing its annual round-up in 1995," said the organization, which battles for press freedom, in a statement quoted by AFP.

The number has risen by some 20 percent over the past year largely as a result of crackdowns on the media in Myanmar, Belarus and Hong Kong.

RSF said it had also never seen so many female journalists detained, with the overall number of 60 representing a third more than 2020.

China leads the way for imprisoned journalists with 127, after imposing a national security law on Hong Kong that undermined many of its long-standing democratic freedoms.

Myanmar was second with 53, followed by Vietnam (43), Belarus (32) and Saudi Arabia (31).

The falling number of deaths since a peak in 2016 reflects changing dynamics in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, where a reduction in conflict means fewer journalists have been drawn to the region.

Most of the 46 killings were assassinations.

"Sixty-five percent were deliberately targeted and eliminated," the report said.

The most dangerous countries were once again Mexico and Afghanistan, with seven and six journalist deaths respectively, followed by Yemen and India with four apiece.

RSF also counted 65 journalists and colleagues held as hostages around the world.

All are in the Middle East — Syria (44), Iraq (11) and Yemen (9) — apart from French journalist Olivier Dubois, who has been held in Mali since April.

In a separate development, Reuters reported that a photographer detained after an anticoup protest in Myanmar's biggest city last week had died while in custody, according to accounts from his friends, media reports and an advocacy group.

Soe Naing, who trained as a graphic designer and started documenting demonstrations after the military seized power on Feb. 1, was detained on Dec. 10 while taking photographs of deserted Yangon streets during a "silent strike" protest.

A friend of Soe Naing, who asked not to be identified due to safety concerns, said they had been told about the death but had not seen his body.

Reports about his death first appeared on social media and news portals on Tuesday. The United States-funded Radio Free Asia reported the death was confirmed by family members, citing sources close to Soe Naing.

A spokesperson for Myanmar's ruling military did not answer calls seeking comment on the reports.

Relatives of Soe Naing, who was in his 30s and married with a son, could not be reached for comment.

Since the coup, there has been a rise of so-called "citizen journalists" documenting often violent protests to get their message out to the world. Soe Naing had provided content to media outlets for free.

RSF said he died under interrogation. The report cited sources including a relative.