Myanmar freedom of expression getting worse 'day by day', report finds

Myanmar’s freedom of expression has deteriorated under its new government, a new Human Rights Watch report has said. It cited the jailing of Reuters reporters Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone, who were investigating the Rohingya crisis, saying the case “shows the military’s willingness to penalise reporters who seek information the military would rather keep hidden”.

The report, Dashed Hopes – The Criminalization of Peaceful Expression in Myanmar, was published on Friday and analyses threats against journalists and activists since the National League for Democracy (NLD) took power in 2016. Zayar Hlaing, editor of the investigative magazine Mawkun and executive member of the Myanmar Journalist Network, said in the report: “Before the 2015 election, the NLD said it would protect press and promote independent media. After two years, press freedom is worse day by day.”

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