Belarus detains 18 journalists in raids at independent outlets

Myanmar’s military is cracking down on dissent over the Feb. 1 coup there, arresting hundreds of protesters and journalists, including one from The Associated Press. The AP’s Thein Zaw was detained alongside Ye Myo Khant, a photojournalist from the Myanmar Pressphoto Agency in the city of Yangon Saturday. Both were covering a protest at Hledan Center intersection, which has become a focal point for the demonstrations. told the AP. Crackdown on dissent The arrests come amid an intensification of the crackdown since the military declared a state of emergency and detained key opposition figures including Aung San Suu Kyi last month. The takeover came amid months of tensions, after the military made allegations of election fraud over a November vote the National League for Democracy party won in a landslide victory. As of Monday, 1,213 people have been arrested or charged in relation to the coup, according to the human rights organization Assistance Association for Political … [Read more...] about Journalists Detained as Myanmar Military Intensifies Crackdown

Six journalists have been arrested in Myanmar over their coverage of the anti-coup demonstrations. A lawyer for Thein Zaw of the Associated Press says Thein and five other journalists have been charged under a law that prohibits anyone from causing fear, knowingly spreads false news or agitates directly or indirectly against a government employee. The six journalists are facing as much as three years in prison if convicted.  The junta amended the law just last month to increase the maximum prison sentence from to two to three years. Sorry, but your browser cannot support embedded video of this type, you can download this video to view it offline. Download File 360p | 3 MB 480p | 4 MB 540p | 5 MB 720p | 13 MB Original | 17 MB Embed Copy Download Audio The Associated Press says Thein Zaw was detained Saturday in Yangon as he was covering the demonstrations in Myanmar’s largest city.  He is reportedly being held in … [Read more...] about 6 Journalists Covering Myanmar Unrest Arrested

BEIJING: China has detained a former journalist who gained prominence after urging the US to help "tear down" Beijing's online censorship regime during a 2014 meeting with top US diplomat John Kerry. Police detained Zhang Jialong Tuesday for "picking quarrels and provoking troubles", according to an official detention notice seen by AFP. The vague accusation is often used to detain human rights activists and dissidents in China's opaque justice system. "Police came to our house at about 9.40pm on Monday and said they had to take him to the station for questioning," Zhang's wife, who only offered her last name Shao, told AFP. "They only notified us Wednesday morning that he has been detained." Zhang made headlines in February 2014 when he met with former US secretary of State John Kerry in Beijing and requested his help to "tear down the Great Firewall of censorship". China's "Great Firewall" prevents Chinese citizens from accessing major international sites including … [Read more...] about China detains critic of online censorship for ‘provoking trouble’

It’s a dangerous time to be a journalist in Canada. The arrest and charging of Oneida reporter Karl Dockstader last week hit home for many of us. It’s a shocking violation of the rights of journalists and for everyone who believes in the values of a democratic society. Dockstader was covering the contentious story of the 1492 Land Back Lane Haudenosaunee occupation regarding a housing development near Caledonia, Ont. Dockstader travelled to Caledonia from his home in Niagara Falls to cover the story for a radio show he co-hosts, One Dish One Mic on News Talk 610 CKTB. He’s also the current recipient of the Canadian Journalism Foundation and CBC Indigenous Fellowship. After a week of camping out, immersing himself in the lives of the land defenders, earning their trust and bearing witness to their side of the battle, he went back home. Two days later he was charged with mischief and failing to comply with an order. The OPP knew he was a journalist on assignment, but they … [Read more...] about Police must stop trying to muzzle Indigenous journalists

LONDON: Four men were arrested under terrorism laws on Thursday (May 9) in connection with the killing of journalist Lyra McKee in Londonderry last month, Northern Ireland's police force said. McKee, 29, was shot in the head during a riot in the second largest city in the British province on 18 April. The act of violence has since been claimed by dissident republican group the New IRA. "Detectives carried out searches at four houses in the city and arrested four people in connection with the violence which was orchestrated on the streets of Creggan on the evening of Lyra McKee's murder," said Police Service of Northern Ireland senior detective Jason Murphy. The four arrested, aged 15, 18, 38 and 51, are being held and questioned in Belfast, police added. The New IRA has apologised over the killing, saying McKee was unintentionally shot as its forces targeted a night-time police raid. A splinter dissident faction, the New IRA seeks the integration of British-ruled … [Read more...] about Four men held over killing of Northern Ireland journalist: Police