Myanmar newspapers print black covers in protest against the sentencing of reporters
Harassment and imprisonment of journalists, cited as the reason for 'black page' protest, undermines image of nation that recently emerged from a half-century of military rule
Several private newspapers in Myanmar printed black front pages on Friday to protest against recent arrests and sentencing of journalists, in the latest sign the country’s media climate is worsening.
The black front pages in the influential newspaper, its journal and other papers follow a court decision Monday in which a video journalist for Democratic Voice of Burma was sentenced one year’s imprisonment for trespassing and obstructing a civil servant while doing a story on education.
“We are publishing the black front page in protest against the sentencing of the DVB reporter and also to oppose the recent harassment of journalists,” Wai Phyo, chief editor of the , told reporters.
Myanmar only recently emerged from a half-century of military rule. One of the most visible reforms since a new, nominally civilian government came to power in 2011 was a freeing up of the press. But media watchdogs say reporters still face intimidation, arrests and criminal charges, and that the media climate appears to be worsening.
“We are publishing the black front page in protest against the sentencing of the DVB reporter and also to oppose the recent harassment of journalists.”
In the last four months, at least six journalists and a chief executive of a news journal have been arrested on criminal charges, such as violating the state secrets act or trespassing. Two have been sentenced to jail.
