Wisecrack about battle that happened over 40 years ago lands Myanmar photojournalist in jail

A censored Burmese newspaper. PHOTO/RADIO FREE ASIA VIA WIKICOMMONS

Authorities in central Myanmar arrested a photojournalist on Saturday for a Facebook post satirizing combat between the government and communist forces all the way back in 1971, according to the Associated Press.

Police told the AP that freelancer Aung Nay Myo was accused of violating the 1950 Emergency Provision Act, which could lead to a seven-year prison sentence.

Journalists have faced increased pressures in Myanmar after a brief honeymoon period following reforms in the media industry ushered in by the quasi-civilian government that came to power in 2011.

By the AP’s count, at least nine reporters are currently serving prison terms. In addition, a number of media management figures such as publishers and owners of news outlets are also behind bars.

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