Local journalists condemn govt repression

 

Mizzima reporter Yae Khae was charged on April 25 for holding an illegal demonstration in support of Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) reporter Zaw Pe, who was recently imprisoned for reporting a story back in 2012. 

Yay Khae was charged for violating Section 18 of Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law, according to Pyay Myoma Police Station.

"As I'm the only one who has been charged, we have won," said Yay Khae. "[The authorities] have only filed a case against me as there may be unwanted harms due to Section 18. This charge against me seems as if we have won against Section 18 and received support from the authorities for the release of Ko Zaw Pe. I'm satisfied that I participated in the protest. Now, they know that reporters will not bow their heads against injustice."

This is the first time a reporter was charged under Section 18 in Pyay.

DVB Bureau Chief Toe Zaw Latt questioned whether the local media could continue their business if the government continues to harass journalists using obscure laws such as trespassing and disturbing officials on duty. 

Journalists agreed to join forces to defend their rights as the government creates new restrictions on local journalists as well as shorter visa allowances on foreign journalists working in Myanmar.

“The media laws have their weak points. What can we do when the  government don’ t reply to our complaints? It says nothing about who journalists should contact. So journalists should make a demand for this particular point," said advocate Kayw Min, at a rare meeting held on April 26 at Home Media.

He added that there were court reporters during the time of U Nu's government after independence, and they were free to cover any news in court. He suggested journalists should demand the appointment of court reporters today.

“Some journalists are being convicted under criminal charges. In fact, the media laws should apply here if a person is arrested while doing media work. If not, it means suppressing media people," said MP Khine Maung Yi, who came to attend the meeting that day.

NHK reporter Thi Ha said that, according to his experience, some regional reporters are lacking media ethics and so news organisations should pay close attention to their reporters. He also suggested an all-inclusive media conference and other journalists agreed.

Zin Lin from Thailand-based Myanmar Media Organisation said that freedom of the press is still limited in neighbouring countries. He said protection of the media should be carried out both in short and long term. He also highlighted the need for cooperation with international media organisations.

On April 25, media professionals, based in Pyay and Aunglan of the northern Bago Region, staged a protest demanding for press freedom and the release of jailed journalists. In a related development, a demonstration for jailed journalists was held in Mawlamyine.

Although the assembly permission for the demonstration was denied, 15 reporters and other activists rallied in front of Bogyoke statue, Shwesandaw Pagoda, region Administration Office and region court.

“When investigating news, once I experienced of being driven out while interviewing farmers at the corridor of Administration Office. I was threatened by verbal threat that I could be arrested for some of the laws. I was also driven out from city development office for the reason of inaccessibility to interview at that office,” Min Nyo, DVB’s reporter in Pyay said.

 “This demonstration does not intend for only one town but for the oppressed journalists from the whole country and the whole world. If this happen again, we would demonstrate again. I wish the jailed-journalists to be set free as soon as possible, too,” a journalist said.