Burma
Burmese military authorities use questionable methPosted Sep 20 2007
Burma's military leaders have used all means possible to prevent journalists from covering demonstrations against a fuel price rise.
“The military's response to the wave of protests against price increases since 19 August has again been heavy-handed repression, intimidation and censorship of Burmese journalists,” said Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association.
The media censorship came after the government decided to raise the price of fuel on August 15. Burmese correspondents for international news organizations say they been subjected to a great deal of intimidation from plain-clothes police officers and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (the regime's militia) while covering the recent demonstrations in Rangoon, reported RSF.
The Rangoon military command has banned journalists from taking photos of demonstrations and has ordered the seizure and destruction of cameras from those who do not comply. In order to hamper the dissemination of reports, the authorities are said to have slowed Internet traffic, even for private companies. After a 10-day news blackout, the media have now been told they can refer to the fuel price increase, albeit only in positive terms.
Related links: Reporters Without Borders, Burma Media Association