Coronavirus: journalist convicted of false information in Burma

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Zaw Ye Htet, a Burmese journalist, was sentenced to two years in prison for being wrong on information related to Covid-19. Eastern court verdict this week in Karen state. The reporter is the editor of a site that mistakenly reported the death of a coronavirus patient. A decision that testifies to the repressive laws still used against journalists in Burma.

Publicity

With our correspondent in Rangoon, Sarah Bakaloglou

Zaw Ye Htet was sentenced to two years in prison for relaying information that may frighten the public, namely the false announcement of a coronavirus death. The Burmese government warned a few weeks ago that those who spread false news about the epidemic will be prosecuted. A bill is also under consideration in Parliament on this subject.

In Burma, threats against journalists are increasing. This year, several reporters were prosecuted for breaking the law on counter-terrorism, for example. Burmese NGO Athan said that since Aung San Suu Kyi's party came to power, more than 1,000 people have been sentenced for exercising their right to speak. Among them, 67 journalists.

Blocked news sites

Human rights NGOs have repeatedly called on the Burmese government to take action: amend laws that threaten reporters, allow journalists to travel to Arakan State, for example, a region in conflict in the west of the country. Requests that have not yet been completed. Several local news sites have even been blocked by the authorities in recent weeks.

► Read also: Coronavirus: Burma releases 25,000 detainees

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