23 October 2024
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) issued a statement yesterday calling for the immediate release of Red News Agency reporter Ta Lin Maung and freelance journalist Nung Roo, who were arrested by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), a rebel armed group, on September 29 and 30.
The Kachin State CPJ reported that Red News Agency editor U Win Zaw Naing stated that the KIA did not respond to inquiries about the situation and whereabouts of Ta Lin Maung and Nung Roo until October 22. The two journalists were arrested for their criticism of the fighting that occurred in Phakant in September.
The KIA, referred to by CPJ as a rebel group, is a powerful ethnic armed organization. Ta Lin Maung and Nung Roo are among the few journalists detained by insurgents since 2021. CPJ also attempted to contact KIA spokespeople for comments on the arrests, but they did not answer.
It is noted that freelance journalist Nung Roo is considered a political prisoner, while Ta Lin Maung previously worked at the Ministry of Information. Although he was a district reporter for the Department of Information and Public Relations, he has since joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and works with Red News Agency.
According to CPJ, at least 43 journalists have been arrested in Myanmar since December 1, 2023. During such incidents, local and international Burmese journalist organizations typically issue letters calling for their immediate release. However, local and foreign media outlets have refrained from issuing requests for the release of the two journalists detained by the KIA.
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