Danny Fenster

Danny Fenster (born 1984) is an American journalist. He was the managing editor of Frontier Myanmar, a local news magazine. In the aftermath of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, Fenster became the only foreign journalist to be charged by military authorities, and was sentenced to 11 years in prison for sedition and related charges shortly before he was released in November 2021. The National Press Club awarded Fenster with the 2021 John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award during his detention.

Early life Fenster was born 1984 to Buddy and Rose Fenster. He attended Burton Elementary School, Norup Middle School, and Berkley High School, and pursued undergraduate studies at Columbia College Chicago; he received a master's degree in creative writing from Wayne State University. and joined Frontier Myanmar in August 2020.

Detention in Myanmar In February 2021, the Burmese military staged a coup d'état and quickly curtailed press freedoms. The publishing licence of his former employer, Myanmar Now, was revoked in early March, but the outlet continued to report clandestinely. In October 2021, authorities charged Fenster of violating Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act.

On November 12, the Myanmar military court sentenced Fenster to 11 years in jail. A few days later on November 15, Fenster was released from jail back to his family in the United States. His release was "secured following a private humanitarian visit by former UN ambassador and New Mexico governor Bill Richardson to Myanmar and face-to-face negotiations with General Min Aung Hlaing", the commander in chief of Myanmar's military.

Personal life Fenster is married to Juliana Silva. He has one elder brother.