In a powerful collaboration, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the French biweekly magazine Society, and creative agency BETC Paris have launched a unique magazine edition, shining a light on eight journalists imprisoned around the globe for simply doing their jobs.
An estimated 581 journalists are behind bars, many in harsh conditions, with little contact with the outside world. Their voices, critical in exposing injustices, have been silenced. To counter this, RSF, an NGO dedicated to press freedom, partnered with Society and BETC Paris to produce a special issue titled The Prison Papers, dedicated to these journalists’ stories.
Over nine months, Society’s editorial team worked tirelessly to interview and profile eight incarcerated journalists. This issue shares their stories, often gathered through risky and sensitive communication with the journalists or, where direct contact was impossible, with the help of their families, colleagues, and friends.
The featured journalists include Irfan Mehraj (India), Jimmy Lai (Hong Kong), Amadou Vamoulké (Cameroon), Maryna Zolatava (Belarus), Narges Mohammadi (Iran, Nobel Peace Prize winner 2023), Mohamed ‘Oxygen’ (Egypt), Dawit Isaak (Eritrea), and Jose Rubén Zamora (Guatemala). Despite their imprisonment in countries with varying degrees of press freedom, their voices have found a way to reach the world once again.
This issue represents a creative victory for freedom of expression, as noted by Olivier Aumard, executive creative director at BETC Paris. He praised the project as “a long and challenging process” to give these silenced journalists a platform to speak out.
Designed with bold typography, striking colors, and evocative layouts, the magazine’s aesthetics ensure the gravity of the content remains clear, without overwhelming the reader. The front cover depicts two red hands holding pencils, symbolizing the power of words and journalism, even under oppression.
Rebecca Vincent, RSF’s director of campaigns, stated, “With an unprecedented number of journalists behind bars globally, it’s vital to find new ways to keep their stories alive. The Prison Papers brings their voices back to the forefront and calls for action.”
The Prison Papers issue of Society is available now both in print and online, continuing RSF’s longstanding fight for global press freedom.
Credits
Client: RSF (Reporters without Borders)
Agency: BETC Paris
Presidents: Bertille Toledano, Stéphane Xiberras
Deputy Managing Director: Hugo Ghiglia
Executive Creative Director: Olivier Aumard
Copywriter: Olivier Mille
Art Directors: Aurélie Scalabre, Morgane Alexandre
Account Team: Mathieu Laugier, Sherelle Ramire, Simon Leroy
Editorial Team at Society: Franck Annese, Stéphane Régy, Emmanuelle Andreani, Thomas Pitrel
Production Company: GUM
