Wa Lone

Wa Lone
VOA Burmese · Public domain · source
Name	Wa Lone
Birth place	Myanmar
Nationality	Burmese
Occupation	Journalist
Employer	Reuters
Known for	Investigative journalism on Rohingya crisis

Wa Lone is a renowned Burmese journalist who has worked for Reuters, a leading international news agency, and has reported on various significant events, including the Rohingya crisis, in collaboration with Kyaw Soe Oo, Nicholas Bequelin, and Matthew Smith. His work has been recognized globally, with publications in The New York Times, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera, and has been associated with prominent human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Wa Lone's investigative journalism has shed light on critical issues, including the Rohingya genocide, which has been condemned by the United Nations Security Council, European Union, and United States Congress. His reporting has also been linked to the work of Aung San Suu Kyi, the State Counsellor of Myanmar, and Min Aung Hlaing, the Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar.

● Early life and education

Wa Lone was born in Myanmar and grew up in a family that valued journalism and free speech, inspired by the works of George Orwell and Aung San Suu Kyi. He pursued his education at Yangon University, where he developed an interest in investigative journalism, influenced by the Watergate scandal and the reporting of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. During his time at university, Wa Lone was exposed to the works of prominent journalists, including Nicholas Kristof and Sarah Kendzior, and was inspired by the reporting of The New Yorker and The Washington Post. His early life and education laid the foundation for his future career as a journalist, with a focus on human rights and social justice, aligned with the principles of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

● Career

Wa Lone began his career as a journalist, working for various local and international news organizations, including Reuters, AP News, and BBC News. He reported on significant events, such as the Saffron Revolution and the 2010 Myanmar general election, in collaboration with BBC News, Al Jazeera, and The New York Times. His work took him to different parts of Myanmar, where he covered stories on human rights abuses, corruption, and environmental issues, with a focus on the Rohingya crisis, in association with UNHCR and IRC. Wa Lone's reporting has been recognized for its depth and accuracy, earning him a reputation as a fearless and dedicated journalist, comparable to Nicholas Kristof and Glenn Greenwald. His work has been published in prominent news outlets, including The Guardian, The Washington Post, and Le Monde, and has been cited by human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

● Arrest and imprisonment

In 2017, Wa Lone and his colleague Kyaw Soe Oo were arrested by the Myanmar Police Force while investigating a massacre of Rohingya men and boys in Inn Din, Rakhine State. The arrest was widely condemned by the international community, including the United Nations, European Union, and United States Department of State, with statements from António Guterres and Heiko Maas. The two journalists were charged under the Official Secrets Act and faced up to 14 years in prison, prompting criticism from human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, and journalistic organizations, including Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders. Despite international pressure, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison, sparking widespread outrage and calls for their release from Pope Francis, Angela Merkel, and Emmanuel Macron.

● Awards and recognition

Wa Lone's work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting, Reuters Journalist of the Year, and One World Media Award, in association with Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and University of Oxford. He has also been honored with the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, International Press Freedom Award, and Journalist of the Year award from the Society of Professional Journalists, alongside Sarah Kendzior and Glenn Greenwald. Wa Lone's reporting has been praised by prominent journalists and human rights activists, including Nicholas Kristof, Sarah Kendzior, and Matthew Smith, and has been recognized by institutions, such as Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and London School of Economics. His work continues to inspire a new generation of journalists and human rights advocates, including Amal Clooney and George Clooney.

● Personal life

Wa Lone is married to Pan Ei Mon, a Burmese journalist and human rights activist, who has worked with Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The couple has a daughter, and Wa Lone's family has been a source of strength and support throughout his career, with statements from Aung San Suu Kyi and Min Aung Hlaing. Despite the challenges he has faced, Wa Lone remains committed to his work as a journalist, driven by a passion for truth and justice, inspired by the works of George Orwell and Aung San Suu Kyi. His personal story has been featured in various media outlets, including The New York Times, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera, and has been recognized by institutions, such as Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and University of Oxford. Wa Lone's legacy as a journalist continues to inspire human rights advocates and journalists around the world, including Nicholas Kristof, Sarah Kendzior, and Glenn Greenwald.

Category:Journalists