Publication Date : 23-12-2014
Myanmar was among the top 10 worst jailers of journalists in 2014, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
For the first time since 2011, Myanmar had journalists in jail on the date of CPJ's census with at least 10 imprisoned, all on anti-state charges.
In July, five staff members at the Unity Weekly News Journal were sentenced to 10 years in prison under the 1923 Official Secrets Act. Rather than reforming draconian and outdated security laws, President Thein Sein's government was using the laws to imprison journalists, the CPJ said.
China is world's largest media jailer in 2014 with 44 journalists imprisoned, Iran was second with 30 in jail, Eritrea came third, Ethiopia fourth and Vietnam fifth.
Egypt and Syria tie for sixth place with Myanmar ranked eighth, followed by Azerbaijan and Turkey in ninth and 10th.
CPJ identified 220 journalists in jail around the world in 2014. The tally is the second-highest number on record and includes 132 journalists jailed on anti-state charges, 45 with no charge disclosed, 36 in retaliation; eight for defamation, four for misreporting and two for causing insult.
The country's inclusion on the list shows that Myanmar has been recorded as a country which is still repressive of the press, as stated in one of the CPJ indices.
For Myanmar, 2014 has been the record year to imprison journalists under Thein Sein's government. Five journalists from Bi Mon Te Nay Journal received two-year sentences under Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code for undermining the rule of law and the public. At the time, a media law had already been enacted but journalists did not receive protection under that law and faced penalties under draconian legislation which was used by the military junta to take action against politicians.
A freelance journalist was shot and killed by Myanmar's army after being detained while covering clashes between the army and ethnic Karen rebels in Mon state in September.
Press freedom has been an issue of concern to international communities.
While in Nay Pyi Taw last month, US President Barack Obama stressed "When governments censor or control information, that ultimately undermines not only the society but it leads to eventual encroachments on individual rights as well."
The government seemed to think differently.
In response to questions on lawsuits against journalists, Information Minister Ye Htut said that the courts should accept all lawsuits against media and decide if involved news reports are right or wrong. He also said it was no use for journalists to protest against the court whenever there was a lawsuit against the media as it would seem like pressurising the judiciary.
"Most of the media groups stage protests when a lawsuit concerned with journalists is filed in court. Who are they protesting against? They are protesting against the court," he said then.
The situation looks tense as several media professionals are facing lawsuits. Among them are the CEO of Eleven Media Group and the publisher, managing director, chief editor, deputy chief editor and an executive editor from the Weekly Eleven Journal and Daily Eleven. They are facing a lawsuit filed by the managing director of news and periodicals enterprises at the Information Ministry under Section 500 for defamation.
In his radio message in July, President Thein Sein said "Amid the political reforms undertaken by the government, there is now freedom of expression in Myanmar, and the media in this country has become one of the freest in Southeast Asia". Then, in light of the riot in Mandaly, he said that members of the press would face legal punishments if they put national security in danger.
http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/myanmar-named-worlds-eighth-biggest-media-jailer/
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