JournalismPakistan.com | Published January 11, 2019
Join our WhatsApp channel
BANGKOK - A Myanmar court has upheld the conviction of Reuters news agency reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, both of whom are serving seven-year sentences for violating the Official Secrets Act, Reuters reported.
"Myanmar has squandered yet another opportunity to right the egregious wrong committed against Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo," said Shawn Crispin, CPJ's senior Southeast Asia representative.
"Today's ruling shows that independent journalism is now effectively a crime in Myanmar. If the nation wants to be taken seriously as a functioning democracy, the reporters should be released immediately," Crispin said.
Myanmar's High Court in Yangon rejected the reporters' appeal of their September convictions, ruling that their defense had not provided sufficient evidence to establish their innocence, according to news reports.
High Court Judge Aung Naing was quoted in news reports saying that the reporters' seven-year jail sentences given by a lower court were "suitable punishment."
The reporters' defense lawyers argued in their appeal that the lower court had wrongly placed the burden of proof on the defendants and that state prosecutors had failed to prove they possessed or disseminated illegal secret information, or had any intention of harming national security, news reports said.
They also argued that Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were set up by police, who planted the supposedly secret documents on the reporters after a dinner meeting in December 2017. At the time of their arrests, the reporters were investigating a security force massacre of Rohingya men and boys in western Rakhine State.
Seven soldiers were later sentenced to prison for their involvement in the killings, the reports said.
Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo may appeal the latest ruling to Myanmar's supreme court, news reports said. The journalists' defense lawyer, Than Zaw Aung, said his team planned to discuss the option of another appeal with the reporters, the reports said. – A CPJ News Alert
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.