Burma’s notorious online defamation law remains the tool of choice for powerful people in the country who seek to punish those who are trying to hold them accountable, and the amendment of the law in August has had “no discernible impact” on this, says a new report by the rights groups Free Expression Myanmar.
Burma’s lower house of parliament today approved a bill granting the government power to oversee public misuse of the Internet.
But for many civil rights activists who had called for parliament to repeal the Telecommunications Act, lawmakers have failed to tackle the issue.
Lead Story Mandalay Division Media News
The freelancer allegedly posted a tongue-in-cheek comment on Facebook, but then called Khet Aung “the worst chief minister” in the country.
Lead Story Media News Opinion Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi is treating the press in Burma poorly, and that may impede her efforts to democratise the conflict-wrought country.
Law Lead Story Media News Parliament
Critics have slammed the Telecommunications Act as a government and military tool used to crush dissent and silence the media.
A court in Rangoon this week added to the legal woes of the chief editor and a regular satire columnist for The Voice Daily newspaper, accepting a lawsuit brought against the pair under Burma’s News Media Law.
Three journalists arrested in Shan State are likely to be handed over to police “soon,” a senior government official says, as questions mount as to why the men were detained and pressure grows on the military to reveal their whereabouts nearly 48 hours after they were taken into custody.
A court in Rangoon denied bail to the The Voice Daily’s editor-in-chief and a satire columnist for the newspaper on Thursday, with the judge ruling that the defendants’ legal counsel had failed to provide the necessary medical documents to secure their release from police custody.
More than 100 reporters in Burma are preparing to protest against laws seen as curbing free speech.
Myo Yan Naung Thein had called for Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing to resign following the attack on border guard posts in Maungdaw by militants.
A case was opened against Swe Win, the editor-in-chief of news outlet Myanmar Now, under Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law on Tuesday evening, the defendant himself confirmed on Facebook.
Human Rights Watch on Tuesday called on Burma’s Parliament to amend or repeal laws that continue to be used to jail activists and average citizens for peacefully exercising their right to free speech.
“The fact that I was in jail cannot be washed away in a shower,” said Myo Ko Ko San at today’s press conference.
Local chairman says he is suing a Facebook user under Article 66(d) of the Telecommunication Law for allegedly defaming party officials.
A lawsuit against the Eleven Media Group should be dropped immediately, according to right groups calling on Burma’s government to reform restrictive media laws.
