AP photographer among 5 journos charged in Myanmar

YANGON – A Myanmar court yesterday charged five journalists, including a photographer from Associated Press (AP), over their coverage of anti-coup protests, after a week in which the military raided newsrooms and revoked media licences.

The country has been in uproar since a February 1 putsch that deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi from power, triggering a mass uprising that has brought hundreds of thousands of people onto the streets to demand a return to democracy.

Five reporters covering an anti-coup protest here last month were arrested, and are facing charges of “causing fear, spreading false news, or agitating directly or indirectly a government employee”.

The junta had amended the law after the coup, increasing the maximum sentence from two years in jail to three.

Yesterday’s hearing saw the five – who were present via videoconference – formally charged, as a United States embassy representative waited outside the court.

One of the journalists is Thein Zaw, a photographer for AP.

His brother told AFP after the hearing that he was able to go inside to meet the defendant via videoconference.

“We got the chance to speak for two minutes,” said Myint Kyaw, adding that Thein Zaw was in tears. 

“He said he’s still okay inside, and not to worry too much about him, and that he is in good health.”

The four others are from Myanmar Photo Agency, 7Day News and Zee Kwet Online, and a freelancer.

Their hearing comes at the end of a week that saw the offices of two local media outlets – Myanmar Now and Mizzima – raided. 

They also had their publishing licences revoked, as did independent media DVB, Khit Thit and 7Day News. 

Mizzima editor Soe Myint on Thursday said via video conference during a panel at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand that his staff have been “well prepared” for such a crackdown on the press.

“Personally, I'm ready to face any (future), including being arrested or being killed.

“This is what we have to do in order to be independent media in the country.” – AFP, March 13, 2021