Two reporters from “Dawei Watch” news agency arrested

December 14, 2023

HURFOM: On December 11th, 2023, two reporters with the Tenasserim Division based “Dawei Watch” news agency were arrested by the junta at their home.

The two reporters, 40-year-old Ko Aung San Oo and Ko Myo Myint Oo were arrested at midnight in Myeik City.

“The junta said they had to check “the visitor report” and entered the house. Then they arrested Ko Myo Myint Oo. They also seized his mobile phone and laptop. Both of them have been denied any contact with family members,” said an official from “Dawei Watch” news agency.

The arrest team included soldiers, police members and staff from a particular administration office. They were divided into two groups to make the arrests.

Two laptops owned by the “Dawei Watch” news agency, mobile phones of the reporters and of their family members were seized by the junta.

Daweit Watch released a statement on December 12th, 2023 stating the news agency had an official license to operate a news agency and operates in accordance with media ethics. The statement pointed out that reporting news is not a crime, and the junta had no authority to arrest their reporters.

“Targeting reporters is totally unacceptable. So, I’ve demanded that when they’ve finished the interrogation, they must release our reporters,” said an official from “Dawei Watch” news agency.

In January, 2023, the military junta arrested three reporters of “Dawei Watch” news agency and released them after six days.

Since the attempted coup, more than 140 reporters have been arrested and the junta has denied at least 12 news agencies their broadcasting licenses.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News