The Independent Press Council Myanmar (IPCM) has urgedthe authority to release all the journalists, who were arrested by the militaryjunta.

On Independence Day (4 January), a number ofimprisoned individuals were released including three journalists namely Ko Kaung Satt Lin, Ko Tun Than Aung and Ko Toe Aung (a former reporter ofMekong News).

According to a statement issued by the IPCM, a totalof 170 journalists have been arrested and many of them have been imprisoned bythe junta since 1 February 2021.

Till date, 118 journalists have been released, while52 are still serving prison terms in different jails across Myanmar.

The IPCM, while  condemning the arrest anddetentions of the journalists, called for  unconditional releases of alljournalists.

"Our journalists are being arrested andimprisoned arbitrarily under various sections of law. We strongly condemn theseillegal actions. Ma Shin Daewi, a former journalist and filmmaker, is one such example of unjust arrest and imprisonment. We refuse to accept thisinjustice. Additionally, 52 journalists still remain behind the bars. For them,journalism is not just a profession, but means to obtain and distributeinformation for the benefit of the public. The IPCM is fully committed to takepractical measures to secure unconditional releases of all journalists,"said IPCM secretary U Toe Zaw Latt.

Furthermore, reiterating that journalism is not a crime, the IPCM has expressedits commitment to pursue the release of all arrested journalists and alsoensure a safe ambience for them on duty.

Photo: DW