Several private newspapers in Burma have printed black front pages to protest the recent arrests and sentencing of journalists. Burma has only recently emerged from a half-century of military rule, and one of the most visible reforms was a freeing up of the press. But experts warn the media climate has been worsening recently. The protest follows the sentencing of a journalist to one year imprisonment for trespassing and disturbing a civil servant. In the last four months, at least six journalists have been arrested on criminal charges, such as violating the state secrets act or trespassing. Two have been sentenced to jail.—AP
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