Watchdogs hit media harassment by Myanmar junta

TWO media rights watchdogs yesterday condemned heavy-handed tactics used by Myanmar's military regime to prevent journalists from reporting on a rare series of anti-government protests.

For more than 10 days, pro-democracy supporters have staged protests against a massive hike in fuel prices that has left many struggling to afford even the bus fare to get to work.

The protests have spread to key provincial cities, despite the arrests of more than 100 activists, including some of the nation's top pro-democracy leaders.

"The military's response to the wave of protests against price increases since August 19 has again been heavy-handed repression, intimidation and censorship of Burmese journalists," Reporters Without Borders and the Burma Media Association said. "Despite the violence by the military and their bully-boys, reports and pictures of the demonstrations are being seen abroad. This testifies to the courage of the Burmese journalists and demonstrators," they said.

Police and pro-government militia have tried to stop photographers from taking pictures of the protests in Myanmar, which was formerly known as Burma.

Plainclothes security agents armed with spades and iron bars have been threatening and insulting journalists at the scene, the groups said. AFP