MYANMAR SPECIAL BRANCH INVESTIGATE AUSTRALIAN JOURNALIST IN YANGON OVER SUPPOSED CNN CONNECTION
May 13th 2008 14:22
An Australian journalist working for the Myanmar Times newspaper in Yangon Myanmar is caught up in a government witch-hunt over how CNN reporter Dan Rivers was able to enter the country to become the first foreign news reporter documenting the cyclone devastation.
It is believed the Aussie journalist is still in Yangon and under investigation by the feared Myanmar Special Branch operatives.
The Australian journalist, Matt Davis, 27, editor of Myanmar Times Time Out entertainment section reportedly went AWOL from his job at the Times last week to cover the cyclone devastation for SBS television in Australia and AFP news service.
According to rumours, it is believed that the Myanmar Special Branch, investigating how CNN’s Dan Rivers got into the country undetected, have not only linked Davis to CNN but claim a fake visa application was drawn up on Myanmar Times letterhead.
It is also believed that Special Branch has been interrogating senior officials at the Myanmar Times although this could not be confirmed.
CNN deny getting a visa application for Dan Rivers on Myanmar Times letterhead, and deny there is any connection between Dan Rivers and CNN and Matt Davis and/or the Myanmar Times.
Yesterday MediaBlab reported that CNN correspondent Dan Rivers who left Myanmar on Friday was chased by authorities as he reported on the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis but escaped primarily because of the incompetence of the people after him.
"I was amazed at the lengths they apparently went just to catch me," Rivers told The Associated Press by telephone from Thailand on Saturday.
Rivers sneaked into the country on Monday – he wouldn't say how – and for a day reported the story without saying his name or showing his face onscreen.
CNN and Rivers then quickly agreed to operate openly.
"We decided it would have much more impact if I could communicate more directly, if I could look down the barrel of a camera and tell people precisely how bad it was," Rivers said. "I think that type of personal reporting is much more effective than a voiceover on a picture."
A local contact then told Rivers' crew the government was looking for him by contacting all hotels where foreigners stayed.
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