Burma bans 15 journalists

Published on Jul 13, 2002

Burma's military junta yesterday announced that it has blacklisted 15 Thai journalists, accusing them of belittling the government and writing anti-Burma articles.

"These 15 have been blacklisted for consistently writing anti-Myanmar [Burma] articles. They will not be given any visas to come to this country," said Brigadier General Kyaw Win, deputy chief of military intelligence.

The blacklisted journalists were not named but work for English-language newspapers The Nation and the Bangkok Post, and Thai-language newspapers Thai News, Daily News, Siam Rath, Matichon, Thai Rath and Khao Sod, he said.

"We blacklisted the 15 Thai journalists for constantly writing anti-Myanmar articles mainly aimed at damaging bilateral relations, causing disunity among ethnic minorities and belittling the Myanmar government's policies," added Labour Minister Tin Win.

The move was seen as largely symbolic since foreign journalists are already barred from working in the country except on rare occasions.

Tin Win denied that the move was in retaliation for the Thai Foreign Ministry's ban on Burmese newspaper columnist Ma Tin Win, author of a series of articles in the official press accused of insulting Thailand's revered monarchy, and Maung Maung, editor of the official New Light of Myanmar.

Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai yesterday instructed the Thai Embassy in Rangoon to seek clarification from the Rangoon government as to why the Thai journalists were blacklisted.

Surakiart said Thailand allows freedom of expression and the opinion of the media does not reflect the position of the government.

Thai-Burma relations soured following clashes along their border in May, when ethnic Shan rebels overran Burmese military bases. Burma accused Thailand of helping the rebels, a claim the Thai military has consistently denied.

Burma's state-run media has been running a campaign against Thailand and members of the Royal family since.

After both countries exchanged protests on May 20, Rangoon slammed shut its checkpoints on the Thai border, banned official visits and launched a nationalistic tirade against Thailand in the state-run media.

Rangoon also lashed out at the US Congress, as well as the Thai press, for giving credence to reports by the Shan Human Rights Foundation and the Shan Women's Action Network accusing government soldiers of using rape as a weapon of war.

"Myanmar soldiers are well-trained and educated not to commit such acts as alleged by US representatives and the Yodaya [Thai] media," said Burmese Foreign Ministry official U Thang Tun. "Drastic action would be taken against Tatmadaw [Burmese armed forces] members for such offences, if any. As a highly Buddhist nation such offenders would have no place in our society."

Meanwhile, General Kyaw Win, deputy intelligence chief, said there was no plan to hold an overdue border-committee meeting, which seeks to resolve problems along the border.

The Nation, Agencies

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