RANGOON, Burma – The chief editor and publisher of a local newspaper were charged with defamation Thursday (September 20th) for reporting about a graft probe into a government ministry, a move likely to raise fears over media reforms, AFP reported.

The Voice Weekly was taken to court for defamation by the mining ministry over an article stating that the auditor-general's office had discovered misappropriation of funds and fraud inside the government division.

"The court has accepted the charge," said chief editor of The Voice, Kyaw Min Swe, urging protection for journalists "writing in the interest of the people". The case will be heard on October 5th. But questions remain as to how the court will act in a country where for decades the judiciary acted as a tool of the junta and is still perceived as lacking independence.

Under Burma's Printing Act 1962, both individuals and organisations can sue publications for defamation.

But the law itself is in question amid sweeping changes in the fast-reforming nation. Information Minister Aung Kyi recently told another newspaper the act would be repealed as part of an attempt at freeing a media long muted by draconian censorship.