EMG reporter from Nay Pyi Taw sued for Facebook comment about Covid-19

EMG reporter from Nay Pyi Taw sued for Facebook comment about Covid-19
Published 2 July 2020
Nay Yaing

The government has filed a lawsuit against Nay Pyi Taw-based reporter Aung Ko Ko from Eleven Media Group under Section 68 (a) of the Telecommunications Law for writing a post on Covid-19 on his Facebook account  

The suit was launched Ottarathiri Township Court in Nay Pyi Taw on July 1.

Police Captain Ye Aung from the Central Investigation Department, as the plaintiff, lodged a complaint to the court saying that the reporter remarked on Facebook that the Ministry of Health underreported and delayed news releases related to Covid-19 situation in Myanmar and that the reporter spread misinformation with intent to harm the State image.

“When our country started to see the Covid-19 outbreak, the Ministry of Health and Sports delayed issuing its new releases. That news and information carried requirements and weaknesses. For this, I am concerned about possible infections and deaths among the public. Therefore, I have been sued for writing the comment that points out to the relevant organizations. As I told the truth, I will face prosecution,” said Reporter Aung Ko Ko. 

The CID investigated the owner of Aung Ko Ko Mann Tharlay Facebook account and tried to sue him at the court under Section 27 of the Natural Disaster Management Law. But after the instruction, the law was changed and he was sued under Section 68 (a) of the Telecommunications Law. 

Aung Ko Ko was filed the lawsuit while he was serving at Nay Pyi Taw office after moving from Eleven Media Group in Yangon. At the July 1 trial, he was granted bail. 

“Our Ottarathiri Township Court accepted the case (No.147/2020). As bail can be granted in such a case, he has been granted it after two guarantees worth Ks500,000 each,” said Information Officer May Su Mon Kyaw. 

The next trial is on July 16. 

Wai Phyo, policy director of Eleven Media Group, said Myanmar Press Council had been informed about Aung Ko Ko’s case as it is a direct lawsuit without going through the intermediary body of the MPC.