A Buddhist nationalist group locked in a dispute with Yangon’s Sedona Hotel over the royal costumes worn by their porters has been accused of bullying a young journalist covering the issue.
Local news agency Myanmar Cable News says the Myanmar Patriotic Monks Union obstructed and intimidated a junior staffer covering a meeting between the monks and the hotel management, the Irrawaddy reported.
Photos showing their porters dressed as royalty from the Bagan era prompted ire among nationalist monks last week. Ma Ba Tha called it an offence against the “dignity of the country” to have a low-level staffer dressed as one of Myanmar’s “ancient heroes.”
According to a statement released by Myanmar Cable News on Monday, the Myanmar Patriotic Monks Union blocked their journalist from filming the meeting at the Sedona last week, although the reporter had permission by the hotel, and then tried to delete the footage.
They called the incident an assault on press freedom.
