Naypyitaw — Myanmar’s military or Tatmadaw has decided to use Facebook again, opening two accounts called “Tatmadaw True News Information Team” and “Zaw Min Tun”, according to its spokesman, Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun.
The spokesman said that in response to misinformation and fake news the military has decided to use Facebook, the most popular social media in Myanmar, to assist information flow and provide accurate news.
“As there is both correct and incorrect news, we have decided to use Facebook, which is used widely in Myanmar, in order to swiftly provide the people and media with accurate news,” he told reporters.
The spokesman said the military will post real-time updates on both accounts.
After Facebook blocked hundreds of accounts linked to the military, including the commander-in-chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and other leaders to remove hate speech in 2018, the Tatmadaw decided not to use Facebook.
Facebook announced that it had blocked the accounts after the United Nations Human Rights Council’s fact-finding mission reported that 20 individuals and organizations, including Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and the Tatmadaw’s mouthpiece Myawady Television, were responsible for violating human rights.
Although the military used to shun the media, it has held regular press conferences in Naypyitaw since the National League for Democracy came to office in 2016.
Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko
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