Journalists continue to be oppressed in Burma

The military council sentenced Han Thar Hein, editor of Kamaryut Media, to two years in prison on March 21 at the Insein Special Prison Court. The court sentenced him to two years in prison on March 22.

Both were charged under Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code and sentenced to the maximum sentence.

An editor of Mizzima, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of security concerns, told RFA that the military council was still trying to arrest the journalists.

“As a colleague, I am sorry for this. This case proves that media freedom in Burma has not been fully achieved from the beginning, but now there is no media freedom at all. They are attacking the media like an enemy. We are investigating. Trying to catch it. For the people, the media is essential now. If only the media could not survive now. If the news can no longer be broadcast, the military council will influence the news. This is a very important time for the media, as they will be influenced by propaganda. In my personal opinion, it was even at a very important time

Mizzima editor Than Htike Aung was arrested by the military council on March 19, 2021 and is being tried in Naypyidaw prison.

On the day of his arrest, BBC correspondent Aung Thura and Than Htike Aung were covering the office of Win Htein, a top NLD leader, at the Dakkhin District Court in Naypyidaw. Aung Thura was arrested and released on March 22, 2021. Than Htike Aung was charged under Section 505 (a) and sentenced to prison.

Han Thar Thein, editor of Kamaryut Media, was arrested on March 9, 2021, more than a month after the military coup, when the military council raided the Kamaryut media office in Rangoon. He was also arrested along with its editor-in-chief, Nay Than Maung.

Nay Than Maung, a US citizen, was later released by the military council in June last year, and Han Thar Hein was not released and is on trial.

Nay Than Maung, who was released, told RFA that they were tortured at an interrogation camp in Rangoon at the time of their arrest.

Phil Robertson, assistant director for Asia at Human Rights Watch, says the Burmese military sees journalists as enemies.

"It is unfortunate that the Burmese military council sees journalists as enemies," he said. We are still looking for who is still working as a reporter in the country. Continued arrests Torture; Imprisonment is still pending. The two imprisoned journalists are doing their job. There is absolutely no reason to arrest or imprison it. It is clear that the junta continues to crack down on journalists for their uncontrollable reporting.

He told a news conference after the coup that he was abiding by the law on the media.

On March 8, 2021, more than a month after the military coup, DVB, including Mizzima News, 7 Days Myanmar Now and Modern News were also banned from publishing, and some of them were raided in their offices.

On May 2, 2021, the Kachin State-based Myitkyina News Journal was shut down.

Prosecutor Zaw Min Hlaing noted that the military council has been using Section 505 (a) to prosecute and imprison those who may be harassing them.

“The government, the military, It is an article that they are currently working on under the heading that they are addicted to writing and speaking in a way that discredits them. Section 505 (a) is the easiest section to attach to any organization that could cause them any inconvenience. If they think that what they are doing is not good for them, they are discrediting the Kingdom. "They were beaten with bricks and stones for defamation

. " An official with the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was still working.

“From February 1, 2021, journalists will not be allowed to move freely in the country. Now it's worse. It's a risky business. Journalists who stand in the country and provide accurate news to the people are also highly respected. You are doing a very dangerous job. Not just imprisonment. There are situations where journalists can give their lives. ”

After the military coup, 108 journalists were arrested and some were released. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says 57 journalists are still in custody and three have been killed.