JournalismPakistan.com | Published September 19, 2017 | Sylvester Conception
Join our WhatsApp channelThe world photojournalist community is deeply disturbed to learn that two well-respected and high-profile photojournalists, Minzayar Oo and Hkun Lat have been detained by Bangladesh authorities on alleged espionage charges.
Both are Myanmar nationals and between them have worked for Reuters, The Associated Press, The New York Times and other top outlets. Any suspicion these photojournalists are involved in espionage is a mistake.
The two are well regarded among the Western media professionals. British photo agency Panos Pictures in a press release said: “Minzayar Oo is a member of Panos and that the agency is deeply worried over the arrest of the journalist. Minzayar Oo is an internationally renowned, award-winning photojournalist, whose works have been published widely and recognized by some of the world's most important journalism awards.”
The agency has called for their release.
Minzayar Oo’s photos have sought to reveal corners of Myanmar that the Yangon government would likely prefer to keep hidden, including the state-run Rohingya camps plagued by disease.
Hykun Lat, a documentary photographer, first started photography at the age of 17. At the age 20, he won the second 'Best Story of the Year Award' at the 7th Yangon Photo Festival in Myanmar for his story titled, “Fogs of War, a Kachin Tragedy,” showing poor communities immensely affected by opium and its derivative heroin abuse.
Hykun Lat’s works can also be found on the Invisible Photographer Asia. He also works on UNHCR, UN, FAQ, OCHCA assignments.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) too has asked Bangladesh authorities to immediately release the two Myanmar journalists arrested by police on September 7, and drop all charges against them. "The Bangladeshi authorities should not criminalize covering a major world story," said CPJ Deputy Executive Director, Robert Mahoney. "Minzayar Oo and Hkun Lat should be released immediately and all charges against them dropped and all local and international journalists reporting on the Rohingya story must be allowed to work freely," he concluded.
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.