• Burmese
Sunday, June 22, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
26 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Myanmar’s Journalists Mark World Press Freedom Day in Hiding, Exile, Detention

The Irrawaddy by The Irrawaddy
May 3, 2021
in Burma
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0 0
A A
A journalist covers a crackdown on an anti-regime demonstration in Mandalay in February. / The Irrawaddy

A journalist covers a crackdown on an anti-regime demonstration in Mandalay in February. / The Irrawaddy

6.8k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

It would not be overstating the case to say that press freedom has been completely extinguished in Myanmar, with almost all independent journalists forced to work undercover, their newsrooms closed, living with the daily threat of raids, arrest, violence and lawsuits.

Since the military takeover, the regime has targeted journalists in an effort to suppress coverage of its lethal crackdowns on pro-democracy protesters, dragging the media landscape back to the pre-reform era.

Reversing the gains made since 2013, when the semi-civilian government allowed the circulation of independent private newspapers for the first time in five decades, no major independent print media are operating under the junta’s constant pressure and raids. All independent TV broadcasters have been taken off the air, leaving only propaganda mouthpieces and entertainment channels.

RelatedPosts

ADB Announces Record $100m Quake Aid Package for Myanmar

ADB Announces Record $100m Quake Aid Package for Myanmar

June 18, 2025
723
Myanmar Junta Attacks to Reclaim KIA’s Jade and Rare Earth Strongholds

Myanmar Junta Attacks to Reclaim KIA’s Jade and Rare Earth Strongholds

June 16, 2025
2.3k
China Defends Myanmar Junta on Human Rights at UN

China Defends Myanmar Junta on Human Rights at UN

June 12, 2025
1.5k

The junta has also warned citizens to take down satellite dishes, which could enable access to anti-regime protest news from independent media outlets. Broadband internet and mobile data access have been cut off, and regime forces regularly seize mobile phones during raids and random roadside inspections, further curbing the flow of information.

More than 80 journalists have been arrested while reporting on anti-regime protests since the coup. Some have been released, but many are still detained and face charges under Article 505(a) of the Penal Code, which criminalizes publishing or circulating comments that cause fear or spread false news. Those convicted face a maximum of three years’ imprisonment.

Ma Kay Zon Nway from Myanmar Now is detained by police while covering a protest in Myaynigone, Yangon in February. / The Irrawaddy

Reporters Without Borders, the Paris-based media freedom watchdog group, stated in a recent report that by resuming the grim practices of the junta that ruled until February 2011, including media closures and the mass arrests of journalists, the new regime had set press freedom in Myanmar back 10 years.

As recently as Sunday, one day ahead of World Press Freedom Day, the Myitkyina Journal, a local independent weekly based in Kachin State’s capital Myitkyina, announced that the junta had revoked its operating license. Three of its reporters are detained and facing charges.

The junta’s information ministry claimed the journal had harmed the country’s security, tranquility and rule of law and incited riots through its reporting, in a letter sent to the media outlet.

“What we were doing was reporting the true events on the ground. Forcing us to shut down is the same as closing the ears and eyes of the people and choking off the flow of information in the [Kachin] state,” said Seng Mai, the editor-in-chief of the Myitkyina Journal.

The junta has offered the same justification—widely dismissed as ridiculous—to revoke the operating licenses of Myanmar Now, 7Day News, Mizzima, Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) and Khit Thit Media, and has raided some of their offices and confiscated property. With the exception of 7Day News, they continue to publish online. The regime has also sued The Irrawaddy as an organization under Article 505(a) for “disregarding” the armed forces in its reporting on the ongoing anti-regime protests.

The regime’s announcements, raids and lawsuits have forced many independent journalists into hiding, and the rest are keeping a low profile.

“On this year’s World Press Freedom Day, the media landscape in Myanmar is so saddening,” Seng Mai said.

“Instead of being able to gather news on the ground, journalists have been forced to go underground to continue our work,” she said.

The seven-year-old Myitkyina Journal has the biggest online and print audiences in Kachin State. However, Seng Mai said that due to concerns over the security of staff the Journal had decided to stop operations amid the junta’s intensifying crackdowns, arrests and violence against not only reporters but also their family members and relatives.

In recent weeks, the junta has detained the family members of a number of journalists including freelance reporters and photographers. In Bago Region, the wife and daughter of locally based reporter Ko Than Win Naing were arrested on April 19.

On April 24, writer and media trainer Ma Tu Tu Tha, her son, brother and one of their friends were arrested by the junta’s troops. Ma Tu Tu Tha was formerly editor-in-chief of the Thanlyin Post, a local weekly journal, and once worked for The Irrawaddy (Burmese Edition).

On the same day, soldiers and police raided the house of a former cameraman for DVB, Ko Thura Soe, and arrested him. On April 27, the Voice of Myanmar (VOM) News editor-in-chief U Nay Myo Linn and a reporter were arrested in Mandalay, leading the online news page to suspend its operations.

Riot police and soldiers beat civilians during a crackdown on anti-regime protesters in Mandalay.

Regime forces also raided the house of Bawi Uk Thang, chief editor of the Chinland Post in Hakha, Chin State, on April 29.

They could not find the chief editor at the house and instead detained his brother-in-law, Salai Robert.

On May 1, junta forces arrested the husband of journalist Ma Thuzar after failing to find her during a raid on their home in Yangon.

Diplomatic missions to Myanmar including those of the US, UK and EU called for the immediate release of all media workers, the establishment of freedom of information and communication, and for the end of all internet restrictions in Myanmar, in a joint statement on World Press Freedom Day.

“While journalists and media workers have become a target of repression in Myanmar, we commend the efforts of those striving to ensure access to accurate information,” the statement reads.


You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Junta Just Buying Time: NUG Foreign Minister

China Donates 500,000 COVID-19 Vaccines to Myanmar Junta

Mother, 64, Beaten and Seized by Myanmar Junta Forces

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Article 505(a)chargedCoupDetainedexilehidingJournalistsjuntaMediaregimeReportersWorld Press Freedom Day
The Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy

...

Similar Picks:

Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow
Burma

Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow

by The Irrawaddy
February 12, 2024
44.7k

Ethnic armed grouping says it will continue Operation 1027 offensive until goal of ousting the junta is achieved. 

Read moreDetails
Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses
Business

Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses

by The Irrawaddy
November 27, 2023
38.5k

Jin San Jiao is latest northern Shan State trade hub in crosshairs of ethnic Brotherhood Alliance.

Read moreDetails
Arakan Army Captures Myanmar Junta Brigade General in Chin State Rout: Report
Burma

Arakan Army Captures Myanmar Junta Brigade General in Chin State Rout: Report

by The Irrawaddy
January 15, 2024
36.5k

Rakhine-based armed group has reportedly detained the chief of 19th Military Operations Command after seizing his base in Paletwa Township.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Arrests Thai Condo Buyers, Realtors as Currency Crashes
Business

Myanmar Junta Arrests Thai Condo Buyers, Realtors as Currency Crashes

by The Irrawaddy
June 4, 2024
27.7k

Monday’s arrests follow reports that Myanmar has become one of Thailand’s most lucrative markets for selling condos since the 2021...

Read moreDetails
China-Backed Illegal Rare Earth Mining Surging in Northern Myanmar
Burma

China-Backed Illegal Rare Earth Mining Surging in Northern Myanmar

by Yan Naing
July 15, 2022
34.7k

A Myanmar military-backed militia in Kachin State is protecting Chinese-run mines that produce coveted rare earth minerals used in hi-tech...

Read moreDetails
AA Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns
War Against the Junta

AA Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns

by The Irrawaddy
December 18, 2024
25.3k

Ethnic army reportedly poised to capture regime’s last stronghold in Rakhine State.

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Police Major Hein Htet

Township Police Chief Killed in KIA Attack in Northern Myanmar

Hakha, Chin State. / The Irrawaddy

Myanmar Junta Troops Die in Chin State Clashes

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Trade and Traffic from Thai Border Region Dwindle as Checkpoints Multiply

Trade and Traffic from Thai Border Region Dwindle as Checkpoints Multiply

2 days ago
895
The Lady Myanmar’s Generals Can’t Defeat

The Lady Myanmar’s Generals Can’t Defeat

3 days ago
662

Most Read

  • Myanmar Junta Moves to Seize Sagaing Roads

    Myanmar Junta Moves to Seize Sagaing Roads

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Certifying a Chinese Security Invasion; Boosting Ties With Nuclear North Korea; and More

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Changes Election Law Ahead of Polls

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Residents of Myanmar Ruby Hub Speak Out as TNLA Mining Takes Toll

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Trade and Traffic from Thai Border Region Dwindle as Checkpoints Multiply

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.