Press Freedom Myanmar Journalists Targeted -- WEB
Metadata
- Press Freedom Myanmar Journalists Targeted -- WEB
- June 10, 2022
- Content Type Package
- Language English
- Transcript/Script English Press Freedom: Myanmar Journalists Targeted (TV) HEAD: Myanmar’s Media Under Pressure but Still Reporting TEASER: With draft legislation targeting VPNs, Myanmar’s media look for ways to keep news flowing PUBLISHED AT: 6/10/2022 at 4pm BYLINE: Steve Sandford DATELINE: THAILAND CAMERA: Steve Sandford VIDEO EDITOR: Steve Sandford VIDEO FROM: VOA original EDITORS: Salem Solomon, MAS PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO __ TRT: 2:36 VID APPROVED BY: MAS TYPE: TVPKG EDITOR NOTES: To avoid security risks, leave the location as generalized to Thailand. FOR VOA Press Freedom, with web version too please.)) ((INTRO)) [[Independent media in Myanmar are facing new attempts to block access to information and free expression as they report on the aftermath of the military takeover. For VOA, Steve Sandford spoke to Myanmar’s media diaspora about the risks.]] ((NARRATOR)) The number of displaced persons in Myanmar keeps climbing as clashes between the military junta and anti-military forces continue. Now reporters are fleeing to borderlands and neighboring countries as the junta imposes more restrictions and punishments on reporters working there. ((NARRATOR)) Here in Thailand, journalists like Hsa Moo continue to do their work, documenting evidence in Myanmar despite the risks. She is wearing a face mask and hat to protect her identity for security reasons. ((For radio: Hsa Moo is a contributor to the Karen Peace Support Network)) ((Hsa Moo, Contributor to Karen Peace Support Network (in English))) “When you go inside, you face the Burmese army shelling and everything so ... When you see the IDPs, they also feel very happy because they know that somebody, some people still care for them.” ((NARRATOR)) Seng Li – not his real name – is a news editor covering Myanmar. He also asked that his identity be protected for safety reasons. He, like other journalists, is working in a neighboring country to avoid laws that rights groups say are ambiguous and target critics of Myanmar’s army. ((NARRATOR)) Getting access to information is expected to get even worse in Myanmar under new Cybersecurity legislation that is expected to become law. ((NARRATOR)) The proposed measure would forbid the use of Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, which allows users to access social media sites, which have been banned by the military-backed State Administration Council, or SAC. ((Radio: News Editor Seng Li)) (Seng Li, News Editor Covering Myanmar ((in English))) “Myanmar is not like other countries. Before it was called the Facebook nation because 99% of the public use Facebook so that is why SAC [The State Administration Council] also try to ban Facebook.” ((NARRATOR)) Seng Li says some journalists - like Han Thar Neing - also face “trumped up” charges that could add years to their prison term. He received a two-year sentence, after being charged with spreading false news. But authorities added another charge under the “Electronic Transactions Law” that could add another seven years to his sentence. Han Thar's family says they have not been allowed to see him. ((Radio: Kyi Thar is the sister of Han Thar Neing)) ((Kyi Thar, Sister of Han Thar Neing (in English))) “They don't allow to see my brother. But if I have a chance, I want to see my brother. Because we don’t know the actual situation of my brother, not only physical condition but also mental condition” ((NARRATOR)) ((Credit: Hsa Moo)) ( Despite the mounting risks that come with the job, Myanmar journalists continue to get the word out, as the crisis within the country worsens. ((STEVE SANDFORD, FOR VOA NEWS)) ((End courtesy)) ((PRODUCERS: Please update figure below as needed)) ((ON CAMERA ANCHOR TAG)) So far more than 120 journalists have been detained since the military junta took power in February of 2021, according to ASEAN, a regional group that tracks arrests
- Transcript/Script Press Freedom: Myanmar Journalists Targeted (TV) HEAD: Myanmar’s Media Under Pressure but Still Reporting TEASER: With draft legislation targeting VPNs, Myanmar’s media look for ways to keep news flowing PUBLISHED AT: 6/10/2022 at 4pm BYLINE: Steve Sandford DATELINE: THAILAND CAMERA: Steve Sandford VIDEO EDITOR: Steve Sandford VIDEO FROM: VOA original EDITORS: Salem Solomon, MAS PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO __ TRT: 2:36 VID APPROVED BY: MAS TYPE: TVPKG EDITOR NOTES: To avoid security risks, leave the location as generalized to Thailand. FOR VOA Press Freedom, with web version too please.)) ((INTRO)) [[Independent media in Myanmar are facing new attempts to block access to information and free expression as they report on the aftermath of the military takeover. For VOA, Steve Sandford spoke to Myanmar’s media diaspora about the risks.]] ((NARRATOR)) The number of displaced persons in Myanmar keeps climbing as clashes between the military junta and anti-military forces continue. Now reporters are fleeing to borderlands and neighboring countries as the junta imposes more restrictions and punishments on reporters working there. ((NARRATOR)) Here in Thailand, journalists like Hsa Moo continue to do their work, documenting evidence in Myanmar despite the risks. She is wearing a face mask and hat to protect her identity for security reasons. ((For radio: Hsa Moo is a contributor to the Karen Peace Support Network)) ((Hsa Moo, Contributor to Karen Peace Support Network (in English))) “When you go inside, you face the Burmese army shelling and everything so ... When you see the IDPs, they also feel very happy because they know that somebody, some people still care for them.” ((NARRATOR)) Seng Li – not his real name – is a news editor covering Myanmar. He also asked that his identity be protected for safety reasons. He, like other journalists, is working in a neighboring country to avoid laws that rights groups say are ambiguous and target critics of Myanmar’s army. ((NARRATOR)) Getting access to information is expected to get even worse in Myanmar under new Cybersecurity legislation that is expected to become law. ((NARRATOR)) The proposed measure would forbid the use of Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, which allows users to access social media sites, which have been banned by the military-backed State Administration Council, or SAC. ((Radio: News Editor Seng Li)) (Seng Li, News Editor Covering Myanmar ((in English))) “Myanmar is not like other countries. Before it was called the Facebook nation because 99% of the public use Facebook so that is why SAC [The State Administration Council] also try to ban Facebook.” ((NARRATOR)) Seng Li says some journalists - like Han Thar Neing - also face “trumped up” charges that could add years to their prison term. He received a two-year sentence, after being charged with spreading false news. But authorities added another charge under the “Electronic Transactions Law” that could add another seven years to his sentence. Han Thar's family says they have not been allowed to see him. ((Radio: Kyi Thar is the sister of Han Thar Neing)) ((Kyi Thar, Sister of Han Thar Neing (in English))) “They don't allow to see my brother. But if I have a chance, I want to see my brother. Because we don’t know the actual situation of my brother, not only physical condition but also mental condition” ((NARRATOR)) ((Credit: Hsa Moo)) ( Despite the mounting risks that come with the job, Myanmar journalists continue to get the word out, as the crisis within the country worsens. ((STEVE SANDFORD, FOR VOA NEWS)) ((End courtesy)) ((PRODUCERS: Please update figure below as needed)) ((ON CAMERA ANCHOR TAG)) So far more than 120 journalists have been detained since the military junta took power in February of 2021, according to ASEAN, a regional group that tracks arrests
- NewsML Media Topics Politics
- Topic Tags Press Freedom
- Network VOA
- Embargo Date June 10, 2022 16:24 EDT
- Description English Independent media in Myanmar are facing new attempts to block access to information and free expression as they report on the aftermath of the military takeover. For VOA, Steve Sandford spoke to Myanmar’s media diaspora about the risks.
- Brand / Language Service Voice of America - English