Myanmar News: It is very difficult to do journalism in Myanmar, so far 140 journalists have been arrested

Myanmar News: A Japanese video journalist covering protests against military rule in Myanmar’s largest city has been taken into custody by the country’s security forces. According to Tip Fone, a leader of the Yangon Democratic Youth Strike group that organized the rally, Toru Kubota was detained by policemen in plain clothes after a demonstration in Yangon on Saturday. Like many activists, he used a ‘pseudonym’ to protect against military officers. The Myanmar military seized power in February last year by overthrowing the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, and since then the military regime in the country has cracked down on dissent.

2,138 civilians killed

At least 2,138 civilians have been killed in action by security forces and 14,917 people have been arrested since the military occupation, according to data compiled by Myanmar’s Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Last week, the military regime hanged four activists after an investigation accusing them of engaging in terrorist activity. This action of the Myanmar government was sharply criticized internationally. Tip Fone told The Associated Press (AP) that two protesters at Saturday’s procession were also arrested and one was detained at the township police station. The arrests were also reported by several other anti-government groups.

140 journalists arrested

A Japanese embassy official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the AP that a Japanese national was reported to have been detained. The official, however, refused to give details. He said the man has been held for questioning at a police station in Yangon and the embassy is taking action to get him released. Almost all independent journalism in Myanmar is done underground or in exile. The military government has arrested about 140 journalists, of whom about 55 are being held in custody on charges or pending trial.

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