A Journalist Photographer in Myanmar Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

A court in Myanmar has sentenced a journalist photographer to 20 years in prison. According to Reuters, the employer of Sai Zaw Taik stated that this is the longest prison sentence for a media employee since the military coup in 2021. Sai Zaw Taik was arrested in late May while reporting on the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha in Rakhine State. Since early 2021, when the military overthrew the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and suppressed dissent, thousands have been imprisoned or killed, and Myanmar has not had stable conditions since. The details of the charges against this journalist photographer have not yet been disclosed, but he is facing legal action under four different laws, including the Natural Disaster Management Law. In a statement released by Myanmar Now, it was mentioned that the military council convicted Sai Zaw Taik in his first trial on September 6 in a court inside Insein prison, without a lawyer or defense. Data from the 'Detained Journalists Group' shows that over 150 journalists have been detained since the Myanmar coup, and four media activists have lost their lives. The Committee to Protect Journalists ranked Myanmar as the third country in the world for imprisoning journalists after China and Iran in 2022. The International Federation of Journalists, on July 20, called for the immediate release of seven imprisoned journalists in Iran, including Niloufar Hamedi, Elaheh Mohammadi, Farrokhandeh Ashouri, Nazila Maroufian, Maral Darafarin, Rybwar Seyed Mohammadi, and Kamiar Fakhour. The U.S. ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council also called for the release of Niloufar Hamedi, Elaheh Mohammadi, and all journalists imprisoned for covering the death of Jina (Mahsa) Amini. Ms. Hamedi and Mohammadi were arrested by government agents after publishing follow-up reports on the death of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the morality police. They were tried after months of delay, during which both journalists stated that they were merely fulfilling their duty to report. The Journalist's Day and 'performative tribute' to 'approved' journalists; independent journalists are detained or under pressure. The conviction of two journalists to more than four years in prison and two years of exit ban from Iran. The Journalist Syndicate's request for a 'fair and public trial' for Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi. Exclusive interviews with two journalists in Iran; from combating 'disinformation' to arrest on charges of 'blackening'.