YANGON, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities have taken legal action against some 16 people carrying extortion and unlawful acts under guise of special reporters and crime reporters, said the Ministry of Home Affairs in a release Sunday.

Filed by some individuals and entities, these reporters wearing uniforms similar to state security organizations were found gambling, providing legal counsel works, involved in cases and extorting money, collecting fees from people applying for press membership, and involved in land matters and accepting monthly payment from illegal criminal works, the release said.

The ministry has warned reporter associations against such unlawful acts, saying that if they are found breaking the related rules, renewal of registration of the associations will be revoked.?