Journalism is not a crime

Journalism is not a crime

Dear Tracy, Where do you get your news? Imagine if the journalists who cover that news - think Christianne Amanpour or Bob Herbert - faced jail time for doing their jobs. That's exactly what's happening in Myanmar. Five journalists - known as the Unity 5 - have been sentenced to seven years in prison for writing an article about an alleged secret chemical weapons factory in central Myanmar. Amnesty is working for their release. Please stand up for journalists who are risking their lives in the name of freedom of speech. Donate now. One journalist in Myanamar told an Amnesty staffer, "If you expose anything critical of the military or military affairs you can be jailed, intimidated. They can use the law against you." President Thein Sein made a commitment in 2013 to release all prisoners of conscience - people imprisoned for peacefully expressing who they are or what they believe. We must pressure him to stay true to that commitment. As Myanmar approaches elections at the end of this year, there hasn't been a better time to tell the government that the world will not tolerate oppression against journalists and the media. Your support can help fund our campaign. Please join us. Together, we can ensure that the Unity 5 are released. Thank you for your commitment to human rights! Jasmine Heiss Senior Campaigner Amnesty International USA