The Honolulu Community-Media Council (HCMC) joins with the Burma Media Association and other international organizations in expressing outrage at the violent suppression of human rights by Burma's military regime. At least 1,000 people have been jailed and an untold number killed by military forces bent on silencing freedom of expression in Burma. A special target of these attacks appears to be journalists.
Last week, Japanese photographer Kenji Nagai was murdered as he covered violent assault by military forces on peaceful demonstrators.
According to Reporters Without Borders, Min Zaw, Burmese correspondent for the Japanese paper Tokyo Shumbun, has been detained by security forces. Three others, Kyaw Zeya Tun of the Voice, Nay Lin Aung of 7 Day News, and an unidentified female reporter for the Eleven News have gone missing and are believed to be held by military forces. This brings the number of journalists detained by the regime to at least 10.
HCMC has a special connection with Burmese journalists. In 2005, HCMC made Burmese journalist U Win Tin an honorary member of HCMC. U Win Tin, former editor of the Hanthawaddy News, has been held by Burma's military rulers as a political prisoner for 18 years. HCMC has joined the international campaign for his release. Last year, HCMC president, Chris Conybeare was asked to address the Burma Media Association's (BMA) annual meeting. BMA is an organization of Burmese journalists, writers and media workers, many living in exile, dedicated to media freedom in Burma.
Chris Conybeare says: "With the latest acts against the public's right to freedom of expression, we urge that all nations condemn the military regime of General Than Shwe, and we raise our voice solidarity with the people of Burma!"
The Honolulu Community-Media Council was established in 1970 and is the oldest of the 5 volunteer media councils that exist in the United States. HCMC is composed of individuals from the community and the media. It is a non-partisan, non-profit, non-governmental independent organization that seeks to improve public access to information and strengthen public support for freedom of expression, broaden public understanding of the role of the media, and promote accurate and fair journalism in Hawaii and the world.
Chris Conybeare may be reached via email at: mailto:conybeare@msn.com
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