Local reports indicate at least nine journalists were released this week in a junta amnesty to mark Myanmar Independence Day but at least 50 journalists remain incarcerated.

A family member told Mizzima that freelance journalist Thuzar (Ah Hla Lay Thuzar) was released from Insein Prison on 4 January.

One of the family members said: "We brought her from the No. (133) Ward Police Station because she was sent to the respective township police station after release from prison. So, we waited for her at the police station and brought her back home.”

On 22 November, Ah Hla Lay Thuzar, also known as Thuzar, was sentenced to two years in prison by Insein special court under Section 505 (a) of the penal code for incitement.

On 1 September, 2021, she was arrested near Pyi Yeik Mon housing in Kamayut Township, Yangon, and held in pre-trial detention for 15 months under Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code.

Other jounalists are reported to have been freed to mark the 75th anniversary of Burma or Myanmar independence.

Those confirmed to have been released include freelance journalist Thuzar, TV reporter Lway M Phuong for Shwe Phi Myay News Agency, reporter Pyae Phyo Aung for Zayar Times News Agency, former 7 Day News reporter Sai Ko Ko Tun, and freelance reporter Ye Tun Oo (aka) Maung Kaung.

According to Order No.1/2023 issued by the SAC on 4 January, a total of 7,012 people serving prison terms in various prisons across Myanmar have been released under a pardon from the State Administration Council (SAC).

Myanmar ranks poorly as the third-worst jailer of journalists globally, ranking only behind Iran and China for the number of reporters imprisoned for their work, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

A CPJ reported released in December said many journalists in Myanmar are detained on accusations of “incitement” or “false news” as the junta “doubled down on its efforts to mute reporters.”