3 journalists charged for silent protest
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Three out of more than 50 journalists who staged a silent protest during President Thein Sein's visit to the Myanmar Peace Centre on Saturday have been charged for protesting without permission, according to senior police sources.
They are Shwe Hmone from the Thamaga News Journal, Aung Thura from 7 Day News and Pho Toke from the Kamayut Time. Police claim to be inspecting photos of those who attended and have said they will charge all of those present at the demonstration.
"The police station did not inform me officially, but I’ve learnt from my sources that I’m included in the list of journalists that will be charged,” Aung Thura said on Saturday. “As I’ve done what I should have done, I’m ready to face it.”
The journalists sat outside the centre wearing black tape across their mouths and T-shirts reading “Stop Killing the Press” on July 12, when President Thein Sein was due to meet with artists at the centre. They were joined by residents from Michaungkan who have been waging a year-long protest to claim their confiscated lands back.
“We are taking action against them because they did not apply for prior permission in accord with Section 18. Now we have got the list of all 50 journalists. We will scrutinise who is in the photo records and then interrogate them,” said sub-inspector Han Tun Aung from Kamayut Myoma Police Station.
The protests came in response to the recent sentencing of four journalists and the chief executive of the now defunct Unity Journal of 10 years hard labour for an investigative report on the a secret weapons factory.
Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi also criticised the Thursday ruling and called for a review. She also questioned the prosecution’s objective and the government’s intention.
“I think that the punishment is too severe for the CEO and four reporters to receive. It should be reviewed by the law. Despite the government saying that it is walking the road to democracy, its control of media rights is a constant source of worry,” said Suu Kyi.
“This case is related to the security of the state. I don’t refuse to accept this. But balance must be kept between security and freedom,” she added.
Generation Wave, a local pro-democracy youth movement, also denounced the ruling, likening the government to the junta. In its statement, the group said that this action ran against the government’s policy of transforming the country for greater democracy, national reconciliation, and domestic peace.
“Suppression of press freedom is violating human rights and it also reduces public trust in the transformation processes,” it said. “Generation Wave gravely denounced the oppression.”
The interim press council held a meeting on Saturday and issued a statement condemning the 10-year sentence of the Unity five and requested a meeting with the president. They also forwarded a motion saying they would resign and dissolve the council if their request was not met.
"The press council will request a meeting with the president. If the government fails to give their response, there is no reason for me to stay in this organisation if we cannot protect and represent journalists. In my personal view, we are ready to resign if the president does not respond to our demands," said Chit Win Maung, a member of the interim press council.
According to police, villagers from Michaungkan who staged a protest against land grabbing near the Myanmar Peace Centre on the same day would face similar charges.
