Crimes against journalists
Freedom of speech is critical to free and fair elections. Since the military staged a coup in Myanmar they have perpetrated a regime to crush free speech. This has included a growing list of humanitarian crimes against journalists and media outlets reporting in and on behalf of the country.
This is a living page detailing those crimes, which is updated monthly.
If you would like to contact us about a crime against a journalist, please reach out to [email protected]
2021
A journalist from The Voice of Thanbyuzayat was shot in the leg while report about shooting near Kyite Hto market (Mon State). He was also beaten after wounded and forcibly taken by armed forces.
In Minbu a Magway Post journalist was arrested and charged under article 505 of the Penal Code.
Four staff from the Shan State-based ethnic media Kanbawza Tai News have been detained by the security forces after a night raid on Wednesday, 24 March 2021. The detainees include two journalists, the publisher and a security guard.
Security forces raided the sub-office of the media outlet in the Shan State capital Taunggyi’s Hopong Township on March 24, as well as two other houses where Kanbawza Tai News staff live. They detained the female editor-in-charge Nann Nann Tai, 28, female news reporter Nann Win Yi, 21, publisher U Tin Aung Kyaw and security guard Ko Sai Sithu, who was released on Thursday evening.
It was reported that Wine Maw, editor of the Myanmar Herald news website, was arrested on March 24, 2021, while reporting on a protest against Myanmar’s military junta in Kyaukmyaung Township of Yangon.
His laptop and vehicle were confiscated on Saturday by police after a crackdown on anti-coup protesters in Naypyitaw, which he was reporting on. He went to the police station the next day to retrieve his property but was arrested instead.
On 23 March 2021, police brought charges under Section 505a of the Penal Code on Tuesday.
Ko Min Min Aung was arrested by military junta on 16 March 2021 in Oakan Township Yangon while he was taking pictures of fire alert in Oakan Township. His family hasn’t got any update about Min Min Aung since he was arrested.
The lawsuit has been commenced under Article 505(a) of the Penal Code. It is the first action taken against the company as opposed to individual reporters. It is believed to be for the fact that the media outlet published a video on 20 February 2021 of the police demanding 13 million MMK to release 70 doctors.
Kay Zon Nway (Myanmar Now), Aung Ye Ko (7Day), Ye Myo Khant (Myanmar Pressphoto Agency), Thein Zaw (AP), Hein Pyae Zaw (ZeeKwat Media), and freelance reporter Banyar Oo have all been charged under section 505a of the Penal Code. It is believed that it is for an article in which it is claimed that the police were demanding 13 million MMK to release 70 doctors.
A court in Myanmar extended custody on Friday for five journalists, including one from U.S. news agency the Associated Press, who were arrested while covering anti-junta protests in the biggest city of Yangon last month, a lawyer said. The six journalists, all arrested on Feb. 27, were not brought to court but attended the hearing via teleconference from prison. They have not been allowed to see their families or lawyers in person since their arrests.
Kay Zon Nway, Ye Myo Khant and Aung Ye Ko were released on 30 June 2021.
A Polish journalist, Robert Biciaga, has been detained in Myanmar, Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says in a statement.
AAPP’s website states that he beaten as he tried to report on events.
He was released on 22 March 2021, charged with article 13 (a) of the Immigration Act (visa overstay).
The office of the news outlet was raided. There was no one in the office. An eyewitness stated that there were 8 trucks and the military broke into the office and searched for about 2 hours. They then loaded equipment and materials taken from the office into the trucks
The office of the news outlet was raided in Star City. There was no one in the office.
One journalist was arrested in Taunggyi.
The office of the news outlet was raided. There was no one in the office.
The military revoked the licenses of Mizzima, DVB, Myanmar Now, Khit Thit and 7 Days
Sai Zin Di Di Zon was arrested whilst covering the protests in Taunggyi (Shan State) but was released a few hours later
Kaung Myat Hlaing, a journalist for the DVB was arrested.
1 reporter from Monywa Gazette was arrested. His whereabouts remains unknown.
Two photographers were arrested during the peaceful protests in Hledan.
Ko Thein Zaw, an Associated Press Photographer, was arrested as he covered a protest in Yangon. He has been charged under Article 505 of the Penal Code with “causing fear, spreading false news or agitating directly or indirectly a government employee”. He is being held in Insein Prison.
On 12 March 2021, the journalist appeared in court by video-link and the second hearing is schedule for 25 March 2021.
2 journalists were arrested during the peaceful protests in Magway.
Kay Zon Nway was arrested while livestreaming a protest in Yangon. She is being held at Insein prison and was remanded in custody until 12 March 2021.
Kay Zon Nway was arraigned in the Sanchaung Township Court as she was arrested in Myaynigone.
She was released on 30 June 2021.