Myanmar journalist jailed for life, another gets 20 years

A military court in Myanmar sentenced one journalist to life imprisonment and another to 20 years behind bars, further tightening the junta’s iron grip on the nation’s media. The verdict was delivered under a draconian counterterrorism law.

The journalists, 40 year old Myo Myint Oo and 49 year old Aung San Oo, who work for the independent online news service Dawei Watch, were subjected to a sham trial, stripped of their legal rights, and silenced in court.

The journalists’ editor, Ko Kyaw stated that the pair was denied the right to legal defence and were not even allowed to speak in defence.

Since toppling Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government in February 2021, Myanmar’s military rulers have unleashed a brutal campaign against dissent, with journalists frequently in their crosshairs. The two reporters were arrested at their homes in Myeik, a coastal town 560 kilometres south of Yangon, on December 11.

The crackdown has been merciless. Myo was handed a life sentence on May 15, while Aung received a 20-year sentence on February 16. The pair endured four days of violent interrogation at a detention centre before being transferred to Myeik Prison.

The editor, Ko, only revealed the sentences this year, citing concerns for the safety of the journalists’ families. He added that the court offered no detailed explanation for the harsh punishments, reported Thai PBS World.

Myanmar, now ranking 171 out of 180 in the World Press Freedom Index, is one of the globe’s most dangerous places for journalists, with 62 currently detained, second only to China, according to Reporters Without Borders.

In related news, Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa issued a strong rebuttal to accusations from Move Forward Party (MFP)-list MP Rangsiman Rome, categorically denying that Thai banks or the government are involved in supporting weapons procurement for the Myanmar junta.

In other news, dismayed Pattaya employers raised the alarm over a sudden surge in job vacancies following the Myanmar junta’s recent move to restrict young people, especially men, from leaving the country.