Myanmar: Journalist Nyein Nyein Aye Served A Three Year Jail Sentence For Allegedly Spreading "Fake News"
Location: Insein, Myanmar Date: July 26, 2022
Myanmar authorities have detained yet another journalist in a crackdown on civil and press liberties. Freelance journalist Nyein Nyein Aye has been sentenced to three years in prison under Section 505 (a) of the penal code on charges of “causing fear, spreading fake news and agitating crimes against a government employee.” The Coalition For Women In Journalism is extremely concerned about the situation that is shaping up in Myanmar right now. We demand that authorities in Myanmar respect civil liberties and the will of its people. We demand the release of Nyein Nyein Aye and reiterate that journalists should be free to do their jobs.
Nyein Nyein Aye has worked for various media outlets including Mizzima News and Standard Time newspaper. She has also worked for Kumundra Weekly.
The CFWIJ has documented the ongoing unrest in Myanmar and what this means for journalists. The future that was quoted in this report seems to have arrived because Myanmar has quickly become one of the worst countries to be working in as a journalist.
“The current regime has also proposed a law that would require local internet service providers to reveal the details of users whose online content can “cause hatred, destroy unity and tranquility” or be “untruthful news or rumors”. However, despite the resistance, these are worrying signs for the future.”
Female journalist handed three year sentence in Yangon. Reporter Nyein Nyein Aye, aka Mabel, was sentenced to three years in prison with hard labor by the Insein Prison Court on July 14, according to the source from the court. /1 pic.twitter.com/Z7DrCsClHo
— DVB English (@DVB_English) July 18, 2022
Nyein Nyein Aye is the 24th journalist to receive a prison sentence. Round 67 journalists have been imprisoned in Myanmar according to RSF’s press freedom index. Press freedom groups have also tweeted against the imprisonment and demanded Nyein Nyein Aye’s release. The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands that Nyein Nyein Aye be release and that authorities desist with this clampdown on press freedom.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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