The Burmese editor and a reporter of Rangoon-based "News Watch" weekly journal were acquitted of charges filed against them, ending their three months' detention in the notorious Insein Prison.

Editor Khin Maung Aye and reporter Manaw Tun were both charged at the Pabedan Township Court in early November 2008 for publishing a news report on the corruption of judges. In the news report, they alleged that the judges erroneously used articles of the Criminal Code Act.

A source close to the weekly said both the editor and reporter were charged with insulting the court with their report.

The source said the journalists published a report on the corruption of judges. In the story they quoted a legal journal to show that the judges made a mistake in their decision. The authorities, however, defended the judges. "The two journalists were instead charged and arrested for insulting the court," the source added.

"They were produced a number of times in court, but finally they were acquitted," the source said.

According to the literary community in Rangoon, the weekly is considering re-hiring both Khin Maung Aye and Manaw Tun. The two had been with the journal since it started operations.