Myanmar court jails 2 journalists for defamation

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AP Yangon
Last Updated : Mar 19 2015 | 11:42 AM IST
A Myanmar court has sentenced two reporters to two months in prison on charges of defamation, in the latest ruling that raises concerns about press freedoms as the country emerges from military rule.
The Myanmar Post's chief editor Than Htaik Thu and reporter Hsan Moe Tun were charged in February 2014 after their weekly newspaper quoted an unnamed lawmaker from southeastern Mon state making comments about military representatives in the parliament having low education.
This is the first time journalists have been convicted of defamation since President Thein Sein's government took office in 2011.
Another 10 journalists are serving prison terms for other offenses and nearly 20 are facing trials.
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First Published: Mar 19 2015 | 11:42 AM IST

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