If the Myanmar government means what it says about there being no persecution of the Rohingya in the Rakhine state, then it should have nothing to hide.
In that case, it does not bode well that two Reuters journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, have been sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of breaching a law on state secrets.
When something like this happens, it is a sad day for press freedom, and the UN and journalists around the world stand united in calling for acquittal of the two journalists.
There can be little doubt that Myanmar is still trying to quash the truth, and punish those who report on the systematic killing of the Rohingya population in the Rakhine state.
Even recently, Aung San Suu Kyi, once an icon of peace, delivered the prestigious Singapore Lecture and used the platform to deny any violence against the Rohingya, and to accuse the international community, humanitarian NGOs, and the United Nations of spreading fake news, and engaging in conspiracy against Myanmar.
If Suu Kyi is to be believed, the overwhelming evidence against the Myanmar military is comprised of lies; but if that is the case, why not let the media in and freely report on what is going on at Rakhine state?
If Myanmar is innocent of the crimes of which it stands accused, what better way to clear up matters than to open its door to international media so the world may see the truth of the matter at the ground at Rakhine state?
Locking up Reuters journalists, or journalists from any organization for that matter, shows that their government does not want the truth to come out.
