July 7, 2024

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called on the international community to pressure the military junta to release all detained journalists, including Development Media Group (DMG) reporter Ko Htet Aung and office staff member Ko Soe Win Aung, who were unjustly sentenced. The appeal was made on July 5, highlighting the oppressive actions taken against the media by the Myanmar military junta.

RSF condemned the wrongful sentencing of Ko Htet Aung and Ko Soe Win Aung, who were accused of supporting terrorist activities. The RSF statement urged the international community to increase pressure on the Myanmar military junta to cease its suppression of media outlets and ensure the safety and freedom of journalists.

Ko Htet Aung and Ko Soe Win Aung were sentenced to five years of hard labor on June 28 by a Sittwe Township court under Section 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. Initially arrested on October 29, 2023, they were first charged under Section 65 of the Telecommunications Law, but the charges were later changed to the Counter-Terrorism Law in January 2024.

RSF emphasized that these journalists were simply doing their job of exposing the junta’s unjust actions. The organization noted an increase in the use of terrorism charges against journalists in Myanmar since the beginning of this year.

Myanmar ranks 171st out of 180 countries on RSF’s 2024 Press Freedom Index, making it one of the worst countries in terms of press freedom. Since the military coup, 63 journalists have been arrested, and five have been killed, according to RSF.