On October 29, police and military personnel raided the office of the independent news outlet, the Development Media Group, arresting reporter Htet Aung and shuttering the outlet. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the Myanmar Journalists Network (MJN) condemn the raid and closure as an attack on press freedom and call on the international community to embolden efforts in support of Myanmar’s independent media.
The trial of jailed journalist and women’s rights activist Huang Xueqin has begun after over two years in pre-trial detention, while supporters have raised concerns for jailed citizen journalist Zhang Zhan following her second birthday in custody. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the prolonged detention of the journalists and urges authorities to ensure their immediate release.
A week after a failed coup in Guinea-Bissau broadcasters at the independent Radio Capital FM ran away from four armed men who opened fire while raiding the radio station.