Several Myanmar newspapers printed black front pages yesterday to protest against the recent arrests and sentencing of journalists.

The front pages, which contained a protest message, follow a hotly contested court decision on Monday.

Democratic Voice of Burma journalist Zaw Pe was jailed for one year for trespassing and obstructing a civil servant while doing a story on education.

“We are publishing the black front page in protest against the sentence and also to oppose the recent harassment of journalists,” said Daily Eleven newspaper editor Wai Phyo.

In the last four months, at least six journalists and the chief executive of a news journal have been arrested on criminal charges related to their work.
Reporters without Borders called for the release of Zaw Pe.

“It is unacceptable that local officials can obstruct a journalist’s work and have him imprisoned just because they feel he disturbed them,” said spokesman Benjamin Ismaïl.