Detention of Journalists in Myanmar Raises Concerns About Press Freedoms

The Takeaway | Dec 27, 2017

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Earlier this month, two journalists for Reuters were detained in Myanmar. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo stand accused by the government of illegally obtaining information with the intent to spread it to foreign news outlets and were charged under the colonial-era "Official Secrets Act." This week, their detention was extended two weeks, as growing international condemnation puts the spotlight on press freedom in Myanmar.

The United Nations estimates that around 836,000 Rohingya have fled because of the violence. The two Reuters journalists were reporting from the heavily guarded Rakhine State, where military violence against Rohingya Muslims has spurred accusations of ethnic cleansing. 

Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division and Reg Chua, executive editor for editorial operations at Thomson Reuters, join The Takeaway to discuss the ongoing detention.

This segment is hosted by Todd Zwillich.

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