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.
The judge apparently has to attend a training workshop on 21 July and is therefore unable to be in court that day.
The European Union on Monday urged Burma to protect journalists from “intimidation, arrest or prosecution” after several cases of reporters running into trouble with the law, including three detained by the army last week.
The protesting journalists also launched a signature campaign, calling for the repeal of Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law.
Several prominent voices claim the arrest of the three Burmese reporters was unlawful or unconstitutional.
The Irrawaddy’s Lawi Weng and DVB’s Aye Nai and Pyae Phone Aung, along with three civilians, were charged today under the Unlawful Association Act.
Three Burmese reporters detained at an undisclosed location by the army will be charged under a colonial-era statute against “unlawful association” and risk up to three years in prison, government and army officials said on Tuesday.
Ethnic media groups say they will petition for the reporters’ release with letters to the Burmese president, state counsellor and commander-in-chief.
Supporters have rallied behind embattled journalist Swe Win after a defamation complaint was filed against him on behalf of extremist monk Wirathu.
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Five journalists were among at least 13 political prisoners released as pardons are granted to 6,996 inmates across Burma in a presidential amnesty.
Striking employees and journalists apprehended by police in continued Rangoon industrial action.
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The Myanmar Journalists Network met with Information Minister Ye Htut on Tuesday to discuss their concerns about the rising number of legal actions lodged against media employees.
Four journalists and the CEO of Unity Weekly are due in court in Monday charged with revealing state secrets; meanwhile an Italian town awards them honorary citizenship for “exceptional and humanitarian reasons”.
The MJN urges the Burmese government, in its capacity as the current chairman of ASEAN, to help secure the release of the detained Thai journalists.
Burma’s reporters took to the streets of two cities on Friday to rally support for greater press freedom. About 100 demonstrators amassed in Prome, Pegu Division, while dozens gathered in Mon State capital Moulmein.
For the first time in its history, journalists and government officials in Rangoon and Mandalay observed World Press Freedom Day
During a conference this weekend, the Ministry of Information has agreed to reorganise the country’s media association in an effort to push reforms within the sector
Journalists inside Burma call for the relaxation of Burma’s draconian censor laws to mark world press freedom day
Domestic news journal says Dunkley charged with assault as English-language daily makes dramatic overhaul of top positions
Oct 30, 2009 (DVB), Around 20 journalists and entertainers have been arrested in the past month while many more have gone into hiding, a reporter at a Rangoon-based news journal[…]
May 22, 2009 (DVB), Burmese journalists reporting on the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi are being prevented from publishing detail other than that already being said in government media,[…]
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A miscellaneous op-ed in the Dhaka Tribune suggesting a referendum on Rohingya seceding from Burma draws ire from the President’s office as well as the Myanmar Journalists Association and Rohingya bloggers.
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Anyone reading Burma’s independent media ahead of next month’s historic election might be unaware that more than 90 political parties are competing.
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State-run media slammed for promoting USDP, while private news groups also stand accused of unbalanced reporting.
Watch today’s top stories with Angus Watson
The recent jailing of Unity Weekly journalists and the threats of legal action against reporters is hindering the free press, the Interim Press Council said.
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Media workers lambasted Thein Sein’s recent speech where he said that press members will face punishments if they “endanger” national security.
Myanmar News Agency, a state-run news agency, is planning to sell news about the government, governmental departments and ministers to private news outlets.
The Unity Weekly trial continued on Tuesday, with members of the media testifying to the court about the importance of press freedom.
The Myanmar Journalists Association (MJA) appealed to the Thai military government on Wednesday to restore press freedom after a 22 May coup. Upon takeover, the National Peace and Order Maintaining[…]
