Mawlamyaing – 4 November
Burma News International (BNI) has called on local and foreign news media and organizations to do severe pressure, and cooperate in order to take action against the crimes committed by the military junta against Myanmar journalists.
The statement was made on 2 November that the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.
“Those who arrest, torture, and kill journalists should not enjoy impunity. People who were involved in oppression, including military leaders, must be punished according to international laws,” U Soe Myint, chairman of BNI’s Media Development Committee, told Than Lwin Times.
He also said that the international community needs to take action and issue the documents on these events.
On 29 October, the military junta raided the Sittwe-based DMG media office, and arrested a reporter and an office guard, with confiscation of office supplies. The office was also sealed off.
Myanmar has the second highest number of jailed journalists in the world, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
“These incidents are crimes against journalists in Myanmar, whether it is because the military junta ignores the law or violates the law. They have not been punished for these crimes.” the statement said.
Crimes against the journalists in Myanmar include violent suppression, harassment and abuse using laws, and the freedom of the press has been restrained by laws, threats, and controls.
Since the military coup in Myanmar, more than 150 journalists have been arrested, more than 70 have been detained and their licenses have been suspended.
Myanmar International News (BNI) is a group of 15 ethnic news agencies.
News – Than Lwin Times
Photo – Getty Imange
Photo caption: A news reporter was arrested while reporting on a demonstration against the military dictatorship.