Rally against journos’ jailing

– Several dozen people rallied in central Yangon yesterday against the jailing of two Reuters journalists, lamenting the shrinking space for free expression in Myanmar despite the advent of civilian rule.

Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, were sentenced two weeks ago to seven years behind bars under the Official Secrets Act.

The judgment sent shockwaves through the country’s nascent community of journalists because it echoed life under the former junta. It also sparked a global outcry against Myanmar’s army and de facto civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi for failing to speak up for the pair. –

Yangon