Despite its ongoing transition toward democracy, Myanmar took a step backward in terms of media freedom last week when a court officially closed its investigation into the murky death of a freelance journalist killed in October 2014 while in military custody. A civilian court determined that Ko Par Gyi – also known as Aung Kyaw […]

Proceedings moved forward in Myanmar this week in an inquest into the October 2014 death of journalist Aung Kyaw Naing, better known as Ko Par Gyi, who was killed while in military custody – an inquest that began last month without his wife’s knowledge. Moreover, it is unclear who might be charged should the proceeding […]

A Myanmar court’s decision sentencing two journalists to prison at hard labour for allegedly defaming a military officer shows the need for the country to enact legal reforms to guarantee respect for media freedom, the International Press Institute (IPI) said today. A court in the southern state of Mon yesterday handed two-month prison sentences to […]

Authorities in Myanmar urgently need to investigate the arrests and reported beatings by police officers of journalists covering recent protests and to punish all those responsible for the use of excessive force, the International Press Institute (IPI) said today. “Reports that police officers targeted journalists seeking to cover demonstrations are shocking,” IPI Interim Executive Director […]