The sentencing of a senior Yangon reporter for taking part in a prayer event on behalf of persecuted colleagues has raised concerns that the military-backed government is not going to relent in its prosecution of journalists during its last few months in office.
Daw Shwe Hmone, chief reporter for Thamaga News Journal who was found guilty of illegal assembly for taking part in an unauthorised prayer protest at a pagoda, said yesterday, “This government has had no desire to allow freedom of the media so far. We need to wait and see under the new government.”
After a trial lasting six months she was convicted on December 18 by a Yangon court for violating Article 19 of the Peaceful Assembly Law for a protest that did not have official approval, held on International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on November 2 last year.
She was sentenced to 15 days in jail or payment of a fine of K10,000 (US$7.70). She said she was ready to serve the short prison term but her colleagues paid the fine. Journalists noted that although the prison term was brief, the length of the trial and the time taken to come to court provide the authorities with the means to sustain pressure on dissidents. (Courtesy of MMTimes)
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