A minimum of 21 journalists worldwide were imprisoned on charges connected to "fake news" last year, according to a new report from the Committee to Protect Journalists.

The report cites the recent implementation of measures in countries such as Brazil, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Russia aimed at targeting the rise of fake news. Arrests blamed on fake news reportedly more than doubled from 2016.

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“The fake news rhetoric is having a very real impact on journalists around the world and literally leading to the imprisonment of reporters, and media organizations being kicked out of the country,” the Committee to Protect Journalists's Advocacy Director Courtney Radsch told ABC News.

President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE has promoted the term in an effort to respond to critical press coverage of his administration, and to delegitimize news organizations such as CNN and The Washington Post.

Trump issued 146 tweets that included the term "fake news" in 2017, according to ABC.

The president attacked the media's coverage of his presidential campaign as recently as Tuesday, referring to the press as the "fake mainstream media."