The RSF joined other leading global media organisations to call for immediate release of Than Htut Aung, the CEO of the Eleven Media Group, and Wai Phyo, its chief editor. They were arrested under the provision of the Telecommunications Law, which penalizes defamation using a telecommunications network. “The Telecommunications Law criminalizes media offences and, as such, constitutes a disproportionate response in a defamation case,” said Benjamin Ismaïl, the head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific desk. “We call for the immediate repeal of this repressive law, which is a hangover from the previous regime and has no place in today’s Burma. We also call for the Press Council’s mediating role to be reinforced in this kind of case.”

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 24, 2016 01:51 UTC