Myanmar junta charges Japanese journalist over ‘fake news’

The Myanmar junta has charged a Japanese journalist under a “fake news” law, a report said on Tuesday (May 4), in the latest blow to press freedom since the military seized power.

Freelance reporter Yuki Kitazumi was arrested last month and charged on Monday – World Press Freedom Day – with spreading fake news, according to a report by the Kyodo news agency.

He is one of 50 journalists currently held in Myanmar as part of the junta’s crackdown on widespread protests against the Feb 1 coup.

The country has been in turmoil since civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s government was ousted, with more than 750 people killed as security forces struggle to quash near-daily demonstrations against their rule.

Kyodo cited an unnamed Japanese embassy official saying that Kitazumi had no health problems, despite spending several weeks in Yangon’s Insein prison, which has a long and unsavoury reputation for holding political prisoners.

Kitazumi has been in custody since Apr 18 – the second time he had been arrested since the coup.

In February, he was beaten up and briefly held during a crackdown on protesters but was later released.