Myanmar: Two journalists arrested by opposition group

Red News Agency reporter Tar Lin Maung and freelance journalist Naung Yo were arrested by the well-known ethnic armed organization (EAO), the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), on September 29 and 30, respectively. Her whereabouts and charges are still unknown. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Myanmar Journalist Network (MJN), in calling for the immediate release of both journalists. She emphasizes that such actions significantly undermine freedom of the press and threaten freedom of expression.

Since late September, Red News Agency reporter Tar Lin Maung and freelancer Naung Yo have been arrested by the prominent armed opposition group Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Hpakant township in northern Kachin State. Their whereabouts or status remains unknown.

On October 23, Maung posted on Facebook: “I am fine and healthy.” However, family members of both journalists confirmed that they had not been able to communicate with them since their arrest.

The reasons for her detention are unclear, but media reports said Maung was arrested in late September following critical social media posts. The Democratic Voice of Burma reports that Maung could not be contacted after meeting a member of the People's Defense Force (PDF), an ally of the KIA in Myanmar's ongoing civil war, at a restaurant on September 29. Naung Yo was reportedly arrested while investigating Maung's disappearance the next day.

Colonel Naw Bu, a KIA spokesman, claimed he was unaware of the journalists' arrest and would investigate the matter before making any comments. The Myanmar Independent Press Council attempted to contact KIA through the Government of National Accord in early October, but journalists remained unavailable.

The KIA is a prominent EAO in northern Myanmar that seeks greater autonomy for the Kachin ethnic minority and has been embroiled in conflict with the Myanmar military since the country's independence. Maung and Yo are the first Myanmar journalists to be arrested by an opposition group since the 2021 military coup.

MJN said: “MJN condemns any killing or arrest of journalists and calls on every armed group to respect press freedom. There should be no precedent for an armed group to suppress press freedom.”

The IFJ said: “The IFJ condemns the illegal arrests and arbitrary detention of journalists Tar Lin Maung and Naung Yo. This law undermines freedom of the press and poses a serious threat to fundamental rights to freedom of expression. We urge the Kachin Independence Army to immediately release both media workers and uphold the principles of free and open media.”