Myanmar Archives - Committee to Protect Journalists

Imprisonments jump worldwide, and Iran is worst

December 8, 2011 12:01 AM EST

Stark regional differences are seen as jailings grow significantly in the Middle East and North Africa. Dozens of journalists are held without charge, many in secret prisons. A CPJ special report

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinto is greeted by Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister Myo Myint, right, upon her arrival in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, Wednesday. (AP)

Clinton must tread carefully in Burma

November 30, 2011 1:24 PM EST

When U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets this week with Burmese President Thein Sein, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and senior ranking members of the military establishment, she conspicuously will not have the opportunity to meet with journalist Sithu Zeya. Sithu was detained by police after recording the impact of a bomb that…

Police assist a newly released prisoner at Insein Prison in Yangon Wednesday. (Reuters)

Watching Burma’s prisoner release

October 12, 2011 3:23 PM EDT

CPJ and other Burma watchers are monitoring the announcements of the unfolding prisoner release closely. As a press freedom organization, we’ve focused most closely on the fate of the 14 journalists we counted in jail in Shawn Crispin’s report, “In Burma, transition neglects press freedom” that we posted on September 20. In our alert today…

The Burmese comedian and blogger known as Zarganar arrives at the Yangon international airport Wednesday. (AP)

Blogger released in mass amnesty in Burma

October 12, 2011 9:57 AM EDT

Bangkok, October 12, 2011 – The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes today’s release of Burmese blogger and comedian Maung Thura, but reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of at least 13 other journalists on CPJ’s imprisoned list.

In Burma, transition neglects press freedom

September 20, 2011 12:04 AM EDT

Thein Sein’s new civilian government has promised reform, but authorities continue to censor and imprison journalists. Those who report for critical, exile-run media remain at great risk. A CPJ special report by Shawn W. Crispin

Video report: Burma’s undercover heroes

September 20, 2011 12:02 AM EDT

In “Burma’s undercover heroes,” CPJ’s Shawn Crispin describes the vital work being done by reporters for the Democratic Voice of Burma. Working undercover in a highly restricted nation, these journalists are the eyes and ears for the rest of world. They work at great risk of imprisonment and harassment. (2:30) Read our accompanying special report,…

EU tiptoes toward engagement with Burma

September 20, 2011 12:02 AM EDT

A conflicted European Union considers a new approach toward Burma. Press freedom advocates and human rights defenders are wary. By Jean-Paul Marthoz

New strains for Burma’s exile media

September 20, 2011 12:00 AM EDT

As international donors examine their priorities in light of Burma’s new regime, exile-run news media face potential cutbacks. The most critical news reporting on the long-closed nation may be endangered. By Aung Zaw

At a protest in Bangkok, images of the jailed journalist Hla Hla Win. (AP/Sakchai Lalit)

Imprisoned journalists in Burma

September 20, 2011 12:00 AM EDT

Published September 20, 2011Burma has a long record of jailing independent journalists, ranking among the world’s five worst jailers of the press for four consecutive years, CPJ research shows. Journalists are typically charged with violating the country’s censorship laws, among the strictest in the world, or engaging in “antistate” activities such as disseminating information to…

Burmese journalist given additional 10-year sentence

September 15, 2011 1:11 PM EDT

Bangkok, September 15, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the 10-year jail sentence handed down to Burmese journalist Sithu Zeya, a photographer with the Norway-based, exile-run Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), and calls on the government to reverse the ruling and stop its retaliation against exile-affiliated journalists.