NYAPYITAW, 04 June 2021, (TON): A military court in Myeik, Myanmar has sentenced two journalists namely Aung Kyaw, 31, a reporter for the Democratic Voice of Burma, and Zaw Zaw, 38, a freelance reporter for the online news agency Mizzima, to two years in prison for their reporting that was in violation of country’s law, spreading misinformation .

The two had been charged under a recently revised provision in the penal code with spreading misinformation that could incite unrest, a charge that critics say criminalises free speech. According to Myanmar’s Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, about 90 journalists have been arrested since the takeover, with more than half still in detention, and 33 still in hiding.

The Democratic Voice of Burma and Mizzima are among five local media outlets that were banned in March from broadcasting or publishing after their licenses were cancelled. A statement issued by the Democratic Voice of Burma said Aung Kyaw was arrested 1 March 2021 for reporting about anti-military demonstrations in Myeik.

The news agency said it “categorically opposes the two-year prison sentence handed to Zaw Zaw and calls for the immediate release of all journalists unjustly detained by the ruling military including Zaw Zaw and another four detained Mizzima journalists”.