YANGON More than 100 reporters in Myanmar are preparing to protest against laws seen as curbing free speech when two senior journalists go on trial on Thursday, after the military sued them for defamation over a satirical article in their journal.
The rare campaign, in which journalists will wear armbands reading "Freedom of the Press", underscores growing public unease at the laws, after the courts recently took up a raft of similar cases.
Despite pressure from human rights bodies and Western diplomats, the government of Aung San Suu Kyi has retained a broadly worded law that prohibits use of the telecoms network to "extort, threaten, obstruct, defame, disturb, inappropriately influence or intimidate".
The law was adopted by the semi-civilian administration of former generals led by former president Thein Sein which navigated Myanmar's opening to the outside world from 2011 to 2016.
Arrests of social media users whose posts are deemed distasteful have continued under the administration of Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi.
These include the case that sparked the protest, after the chief editor and a columnist of the Voice, one of Myanmar's largest dailies, were arrested for publishing their take on a film on the army's fight with ethnic rebels.
Myanmar journalists have urged authorities to release the reporters and have set up a Protection Committee for Myanmar Journalists.
"The 66 (d) law should be terminated, because the government and the military have used it to cause trouble for the media and the people," said Thar Lon Zaung Htet, a former editor of the domestic Irrawaddy journal who organized the meeting, referring to a controversial clause in the telecoms law.
He said the journalists would gather in front of the court and march to the Voice office wearing the armbands. The panel will also gather signatures for a petition to abolish the law, to be sent to Suu Kyi's office, the army chief and parliament.
Other recent cases include last weekend's arrest of a man publicly accusing an assistant of Yangon's chief minister, Phyo Min Thein, of corruption, and charges against several people over a student play critical of the military.
Phyo Min Thein's assistant has rejected the accusations in a subsequent media interview.
Besides repressive laws, journalists often face threats and intimidation in Myanmar. One recently received threats after speaking out against nationalist Buddhists. In December, a reporter covering illegal logging and crime in the rugged northwest was beaten to death.
"This law is totally against human rights," said Tun Tun Oo, a land rights activists who was charged for live-streaming the student play via his Facebook account. "The government should think about terminating it as it restores democracy and we will fight until the law is abolished."
(Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
BEIRUT A military alliance fighting in support of President Bashar al-Assad threatened on Wednesday to hit U.S. positions in Syria, warning its "self-restraint" over U.S. air strikes would end if Washington crossed "red lines".
DUBAI/DOHA U.S. President Donald Trump offered on Wednesday to help resolve a worsening diplomatic crisis between Qatar and other Arab powers as the United Arab Emirates invoked the possibility of an economic embargo on Doha over its alleged support of terrorism.
Here is the original post:
Myanmar journalists take fight for freedom of speech to court - Reuters
- Turkey's crackdown on freedom of speech intensifies [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Bill of Rights Transcript Text - National Archives and ... [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- 3 Muslims shot dead by Atheist || #muslimlivesmatter - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Media Studies 104A - 2015-02-10 - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech in the 21st Century - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Katy Perry Garbage Music Industry Selling Image - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- USA Freedom of Speech and Jesus Christ - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full [HD].... - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- France Arrests French Comedian Dieudonne 3 Days After Charlie Hebdo Freedom of Speech - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Science News - Zoophile Atheists Evolutionists Beastality Inter Species Sex - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Science News - Marijuana Causes Brain Damage - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Charlie Hebdo's "Freedom of Speech" - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- John Robertson on Greg Shapiro's United States of Europe - S3Ep01 - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech - The GameOverGreggy Show Ep. 61 (Pt. 3) - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Charlie Hebdo, Zero Tolerance, and Freedom of Speech - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- The Illuminati: The Freedom of Speech 2015 Conspiracy - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin 2015 - Eddie Griffin Freedom Of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up.. - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom Of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up - Eddie Griffin 2015 [HD] - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Charles Darwin Racist Hallucinating Junkie Who Thought He Was A Monkey - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Muslims oppose insult to Islam in the name of freedom of speech - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full HD - Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech.. - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Policy update restricts demonstrations [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Italian senators pass bill criminalizing denial of genocides [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Thousands of Muslims protest freedom of speech outside Downing street - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full HD - Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech [Standing Up] - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full HD.. (Best Comedians) - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Ali Belhadj Following Paris Attacks: France Cannot Give Us a Lesson in Freedom of Speech - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- RE: HannibalTheVictor13's resentment over thunderf00t and his "freedom of speech". - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Did God Make Atheists For Hell? - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech, Dastak Ep158 - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Mamata advocates for freedom of speech - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- One dead after shots fired at Copenhagen freedom of speech meeting [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- 1 dead in shooting at Copenhagen free speech event [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Shots Fired at Copenhagen Free Speech Event: Reports [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Shots fired at Copenhagen cafe free speech event [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- One man dead and three policemen wounded at freedom of speech seminar in Denmark [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Copenhagen caf: two gunmen in terror attack at freedom of speech event [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Michael Buerk Interview - Freedom of Speech & Paris Attacks - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- 'Freedom Of Speech' Topic Tuesday #12 - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech != Freedom of Forum - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Danish police kill man suspected of Saturday's attacks [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Political expression isnt criminal: group [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Copenhagen police kill suspect linked to two fatal attacks [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Copenhagen suspect known to police [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Free Speech Debate Still Alive After Attack in Denmark [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Danish PM Defends Freedom of Speech After Attacks [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Press - Lincoln University [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- freedom of speech...........Peter Caine /Brooklyn Dog training/NYC dog training - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Copenhagen Shooting: Deadly attack at free speech meeting with cartoonist who depicted Muh - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- We Need To Defend Our Freedom of Speech or We'll Lose It. - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Shots fired at Copenhagens Krudttoenden cafe free speech event a report - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech: For Whom, to Say What? - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Media Studies 104A - 2015-02-12 - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full HD [Stand Up Comedians] --- - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- WallBuilders Live 2015-02-11 Wednesday - Freedom of Speech on College Campuses - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Feminist Aborted Her Son Because He was a Boy - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Science News - Atheist Animal Sacrifices and Torture - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Yisrael Beytenu at Charlie Hebdo freedom of speech protest - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - American Poll - Atheists Can't Be Trusted - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Freedom of speech, but... SHOTS - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Muslims Killing Atheists! - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- AP Top Stories February 14 P - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full [Best Comedians] ---- - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full HD [Stand Up Live] --- - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full Show HD --- - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson to Receive Freedom of Speech Award [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Letters to the editor: We must do more to stop terrorists [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Stand Up Freedom of Speech Best Comedy Show--- - Video [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2015]
- Freedom Of Speech Naam Ki Koi Chiz Hoti Hai - Alia Bhatt On AIB Controversy - Video [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2015]
- Copenhagen Shooting: Valentine's Day Shooting At Copenhagen Free Speech Event (VIDEO) - Video [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2015]
- Denmark: Police launch manhunt for Copenhagen cafe shooter - Video [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Best Stand Up Full HD--- - Video [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2015]
- Greenpeace activist refutes govt charge of being anti-national [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]
- Two minutes for heckling [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]
- Jailed Al Jazeera journalist concerned about freedom of speech [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]
- Fan claims municipal police violating freedom of speech [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]
- Jailed journalist concerned about freedom of speech [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]
- Freedom of speech denied outside of Skillet concert Pittsburgh - Video [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]