Journalists are beaten amidst Myanmar’s military coup

Japanese journalist Hiroki Kitazumi was one of the several reporters caught up in the aftermath of a coup in Myanmar where press freedom is under threat. 

Kitazumi told VICE World News that so far, security forces have not targeted journalists while reporting. Though wary of the current situation, he plans to communicate closely with colleagues to try and be aware of risks when out in the field.

The Myanmar Press Council issued a statement condemning the violence, while the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents Club expressed solidarity with journalists working in Myanmar and called on the military to respect media freedom.

While reporters were frequently harassed, intimidated, and arrested even under Suu Kyi’s administration, many fear the coup and state of emergency declared by the generals could signal an end to hard-earned media freedoms.