Al Jazeera Media Network applauds the release of Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were arrested by Myanmar authorities on trumped-up charges.

Over the past 500 days, Wa and Kyaw became a signpost in the attacks on press freedom and rallying point for those who work to promote press freedom and protection of journalists.

Commenting on the release, Mostefa Souag, acting director general of Al Jazeera Media Network, said: “The hard-won freedom of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are a cause of celebration for journalists around the world.

“While we celebrate the release of Reuters colleagues, Al Jazeera appeals to media institutions and other international rights organisations to continue the campaign for the release of every journalist unjustly imprisoned or arbitrarily detained in violation of their rights to freedom of speech,” Souag added.

“There are hundreds of other journalists languishing in prisons for merely carrying out their journalistic profession.

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“Al Jazeera calls on the Egyptian government to immediately release our journalist Mahmoud Hussein who has been incarcerated in Egyptian prison without charges, trial or conviction, for more than 850 days in violation of both Egyptian and international law,” Souag further stated.

“We aren’t alone in our struggle for press freedom against repressive regimes, and while the dangers faced by reporters are harrowing, many continue to brave threats and violence to bring accurate, independent and impartial reporting to those who need it most.

“We must all renew our commitment to the fight for media freedom and work together to counter the forces who would rather keep us in the dark,” Souag said.