This week, the world has been watching the violent government crackdown on the pro-democracy uprising in Burma. “Citizen journalists” have been responsible for much of the reporting by cell phone text messages to bloggers worldwide. But the Burmese government blocked Internet access and cell phone lines in an effort to curb news distribution. Via Instapundit, the Wall Street Journal reports:
Bill Toddler at Pajamas Media has great coverage of the “Internet warriors,” the “behind the scenes computer-savvy students have given the world a front row seat into the junta’s brutal repression via the Internet.” He notes:
Mike Nizza at The Lede discusses “Ko Htike, an expatriate Burmese citizen living in London,” who first reported the murder of a Japanese journalist at the hands of the junta. OnDeadline reports that Ko Htike is having difficulty reporting due to the blackout, but some bloggers are “funneling the latest news and rumors to a widget.” Michelle Malkin is keeping an eye on the latest regarding the Internet blackout. She has some of the latest videos, too, so keep a watch on her blog. Gateway Pundit also has an informative news roundup. In an informative editorial, NRO editors note: “The last time protests on this scale rocked Burma, in 1988, the junta had killed 3,000 people before the dust settled.” Hopefully, the current crackdown won’t finish in the same way. But, unfortunately, as Ed at Captain’s Quarters says, “The end of Internet access will damage the ability of the activists to get images and stories of brutality out to the world. However, that will probably make little difference, because the world hasn’t exactly rushed to the aid of the Burmese. Oh, the world has issued their own version of “challenge documents” in condemning the actions of the military junta by condemning them in diplomatic terms for their crackdown on peaceful demonstrations — but they have done little to put pressure on Burma to end it.” For all the latest updates, keep checking the widget and Burmanet News.
