This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/07/burmese-journalists-protest-ma-khine-jail-term

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Burmese journalists protest against reporter's jail term Burmese journalists protest against reporter's jail term
(35 minutes later)
Dozens of journalists have staged a rare demonstration in Burma's biggest city to protest against a jail term given to a reporter who was working on a story about corruption.Dozens of journalists have staged a rare demonstration in Burma's biggest city to protest against a jail term given to a reporter who was working on a story about corruption.
Wearing black T-shirts with slogans saying, "We don't want threat on press freedom", and carrying banners that read, "Right to information is life of democracy", nearly 60 reporters marched down a busy Rangoon street decrying the three-month prison sentence given to Ma Khine from the Daily Eleven newspaper. Wearing black T-shirts with slogans saying: "We don't want threat on press freedom", and carrying banners that read: "Right to information is life of democracy", nearly 60 reporters marched down a busy Rangoon street decrying the three-month prison sentence given to Ma Khine from the Daily Eleven newspaper.
A court in eastern Kayah state convicted her last month of trespassing, using abusive language and defamation.A court in eastern Kayah state convicted her last month of trespassing, using abusive language and defamation.
Journalists have gained new freedoms under the reformist government of President Thein Sein who, since taking office in 2011, has abolished most censorship and allowed the publication of privately owned daily newspapers for the first time in almost five decades.Journalists have gained new freedoms under the reformist government of President Thein Sein who, since taking office in 2011, has abolished most censorship and allowed the publication of privately owned daily newspapers for the first time in almost five decades.
Previously, reporters worked under some of the tightest restrictions in the world, subject to routine state surveillance, phone taps and censorship of all publications.Previously, reporters worked under some of the tightest restrictions in the world, subject to routine state surveillance, phone taps and censorship of all publications.
Still, even under the reforms, some publications have been sued for defamation, including by government agencies. Ma Khine is the first journalist under Thein Sein's government to be given a prison sentence.Still, even under the reforms, some publications have been sued for defamation, including by government agencies. Ma Khine is the first journalist under Thein Sein's government to be given a prison sentence.
Ma Khine was sued by a lawyer after she visited her house for an interview on a story about corruption. The lawyer, who was annoyed by her questioning, asked her to leave and later filed a lawsuit, according to Wai Phyo, chief editor of the Daily Eleven.Ma Khine was sued by a lawyer after she visited her house for an interview on a story about corruption. The lawyer, who was annoyed by her questioning, asked her to leave and later filed a lawsuit, according to Wai Phyo, chief editor of the Daily Eleven.
"The judge could have imposed a fine but deliberately gave the prison sentence not only to threaten the reporter but to threaten press freedom," he said."The judge could have imposed a fine but deliberately gave the prison sentence not only to threaten the reporter but to threaten press freedom," he said.
Myint Kyaw, the general secretary of Myanmar Journalist Network, helped organise the protest march "because we do not want the imprisonment of a journalist to become a precedent". Myint Kyaw, the general secretary of the Myanmar Journalist Network, helped organise the protest march "because we do not want the imprisonment of a journalist to become a precedent".
Local and international media and watchdog organisations such as the World Association of Newspapers, Committee to Protest Journalists and Reporters Without Borders issued statements strongly condemning the prison sentence. Local and international media and watchdog organisations such as the World Association of Newspapers, Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders have issued statements strongly condemning the prison sentence.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.