3 Myanmar journalists in court over story gov’t calls false

A Myanmar journalist of the privately owned Eleven Media Group works in the company's newsroom in Yangon on October 12, 2018. (AFP)

• An increasing number of journalists in Myanmar have been arrested and jailed for their work
• The journalists for local Eleven Media Group were arrested Oct. 9

YANGON, Myanmar: Three detained journalists have appeared in a Myanmar court to face charges filed against them by the Yangon government, which alleges a story they published was false.
The journalists for local Eleven Media Group were arrested Oct. 9 after publishing a story alleging fund mismanagement by Yangon government officials.
A director in the Yangon government filed a complaint that alleged the Eleven Media journalists violated a Myanmar law banning publication of “incorrect information” that could cause “fear or alarm to the public.” Punishment under the law can include two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The next court appearance is expected to be Oct. 26.
An increasing number of journalists in Myanmar have been arrested and jailed for their work.