Attacks on the Press in 2010 - Committee to Protect Journalists

Journalists in Prisonimprisoned: april 15, 2010Sithu Zeya, Democratic Voice of BurmaSithu Zeya, a video journalist with the Democratic Voice of Burma(DVB), was arrested while covering a grenade attack that left ninedead and hundreds injured during the annual Buddhist New Yearwater festival in Rangoon.DVB editors said Sithu Zeya, 21, was near the crowded area wherethe blast occurred and started filming the aftermath as governmentauthorities arrived on the scene. He was arrested immediately by policeofficials, who also seized his laptop computer and other personalbelongings, DVB reported.A police official, Khin Yi, said at a May 6 press conference that SithuZeya had been arrested for taking video footage of the attack. Hismother, Yee Yee Tint, told DVB after a prison visit in May that he hadbeen denied food and beaten during police interrogations that left aconstant ringing in his ear.DVB Deputy Editor Khin Maung Win told CPJ that Sithu Zeya hadbeen forced to reveal under torture that his father, Maung MaungZeya, also served as an undercover DVB reporter. They were bothdetained at Rangoon’s Insein Prison.As of December 1, Sithu Zeya awaited a court verdict on charges relatedto the Unlawful Association, Immigration, and Electronic acts.imprisoned: april 17, 2010Maung Maung Zeya, Democratic Voice of BurmaMaung Maung Zeya, an undercover reporter with the DemocraticVoice of Burma (DVB), was arrested at his Rangoon house two daysafter his son and fellow DVB journalist, Sithu Zeya, was arrested forfilming the aftermath of a fatal bomb attack during a Buddhist NewYear celebration, according to DVB.Maung Maung Zeya was first detained and interrogated at the BahanTownship police station in Rangoon and transferred June 14 toRangoon’s Insein Prison. DVB editors said he was a “senior member”of their undercover team inside Burma and was responsible for operationmanagement, including making reporting assignments to otherDVB journalists.Hearings in his trial on charges related to the Unlawful Association,Immigration, and Electronic acts began on June 22 at WesternRangoon’s Provincial Court. DVB Deputy Editor Khin Maung Win343