PEC
Geneva: Three ethnic Shan journalists along with a civilian were
imprisoned for three years recently by a military court in Myanmar for
spreading misinformation about the regime in Naypyidaw. Press Emblem
Campaign (PEC), the global media safety and rights body, deplores the
sentences and urges the military junta to respect the freedom of
press.
Editor Nann Nann Tai (also known as Nann Nway Nway Hlaing), publisher
Ko Tin Aung Kyaw and female reporter Nan Win Yi of Kanbawza Tai News
along with Ko Sai Sithu, who were detained by the security forces from
Hopong locality of Shan State on 24 March, continued to be in
Nyaungshwe prison and incidentally the verdict came on Human Rights
Day.
Quoting Ko Zay Tai, chief editor of the independent news portal with
the focus on Shan State, The Irrawaddy reported that the junta forces
detained Ko Sai Sithu just as a hostage. Moreover, the military
personnel claim that he is also a professional reporter. Since the 1
February military coup, the south-east Asian nation continues to
witness unrelented harassment of media workers.
“Journalism must not be identified as a crime and they should be
allowed to perform their duties by the military rulers of Myanmar. We
urge the Min Aung Hlaing led military regime to sanction an
unconditional release of all imprisoned media workers,” said Blaise
Lempen, secretary-general of PEC.
Various organizations of Myanmar (also known as Burma) claim that over
1,300 people have been killed by the security forces since the coup
deposing Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government. More
than 10,000 anti-junta demonstrators were arrested from various parts
of the country, where over 120 media persons also faced detention and
among them 25 are still behind bars.
A few days back, video journalist Ma Hmu Yadanar Khet Moh Moh Tun and
photojournalist Ko Kaung Sett Lin sustained serious injuries during an
anti-junta protest march in Yangon as it was rammed by a military
vehicle. Speaking to Nava Thakuria, PEC’s south-east Asia
representative, a Yangon-based journalist informed that both of them
are now recovering in the hospital, however they still remain under
detention.