Lead Story Mandalay Division Media News
Mandalay journalist arrested under Article 66(d)
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 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.
A senior NLD party member said a majority of parliamentarians liked the protection against online criticism the law provided.
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.
NLD members in Lewe sued for ‘online defamation’ by administrator who was himself being sued for corruption.
The controversial law, which covers “online defamation”, has been used to silence government critics and 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.
A draft bill to amend the controversial article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law has been submitted to the Upper House.
Media freedom advocates have lashed out at the latest 66(d) suit filed by the Tatmadaw against a satirical columnist.
The protesting journalists also launched a signature campaign, calling for the repeal of Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law.
The Voice Daily’s editor-in-chief and the newspaper’s regular satire columnist are being sued by the military under article 66(d) of Burma’s Telecommunications Law, a defamation clause, over an article published in March.
Many observers say Article 66(d) has been used summarily to incarcerate dozens of government or military critics.
Phoe Htaung, who was on trial for using the official seal of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in a Facebook post that erroneously declared the resignation of senior party official Win Htein, was sentenced to six months in prison on Friday under the Telecommunications Law’s controversial article 66(d).
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.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications is reviewing the 2013 Telecommunications Law to determine whether the legislation’s article 66(d), a controversial provision on electronic defamation, should be amended.
Local chairman says he is suing a Facebook user under Article 66(d) of the Telecommunication Law for allegedly defaming party officials.
Law Lead Story News Pegu Division
The Pegu Division official subsequently lodged a complaint with police under Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law.
Hla Phone, who was accused of posting insulting images and comments on Facebook, was found guilty of violating Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law.
The judge in Pathein said the broadcast was deemed slanderous to the servicemen of the Burmese army and their families.
“It is evident that Michael Kyaw Myint used a telecommunications network to post libellous writings about the chief minister of Yangon.”
Burma’s lower house of parliament today approved a bill granting the government power to oversee public misuse of the Internet.
Lead Story News Politics Suu Kyi
Hundreds of party faithful rallied at a staging grounds in Taungoo on Saturday morning in a show of support for beleaguered State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, the National League for Democracy’s longtime figurehead.
The decision marks the end of a four-month ordeal that began when The Voice Daily duo were arrested for a satirical column lampooning Burma’s military.
In a surprise Friday announcement, the Tatmadaw said that it will be dropping charges it had brought against six journalists, including a high-profile “unlawful association” case it had brought against two reporters from DVB and one from The Irrawaddy news outlet.
But for many civil rights activists who had called for parliament to repeal the Telecommunications Act, lawmakers have failed to tackle the issue.
Following more than two months’ detention, The Voice Daily’s chief editor Kyaw Min Swe was released on a 10 million kyats ($7,350) bail by a Rangoon court on Friday morning, according to the defendant’s lawyer.
Swe Win was remanded in custody and escorted to Mandalay, where Maha Aung Myay court agreed to release him until his trial begins on 7 August.
The prominent Burmese journalist Swe Win was arrested at Yangon International Airport on Sunday evening as he attempted to leave Burma, with authorities justifying his detention on the grounds that he faces trial on charges of defamation.
The judge apparently has to attend a training workshop on 21 July and is therefore unable to be in court that day.
Burmese cartoonists weren’t always so worried about the potential repercussions of what they draw, but a spike in online defamation cases under the current government of Aung San Suu Kyi has them on edge.
Several prominent voices claim the arrest of the three Burmese reporters was unlawful or unconstitutional.