Media calls for stronger protection after junta raid kills two journalists

Following the murder of two reporters last week and the harsh punishments imposed on other media workers since the military took power, journalists in Myanmar are calling for greater protection for the media.

A Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) journalist and a freelancer were killed on August 21 when the military raided the freelance reporter’s home in Kyaikhto town, Mon State.

According to the media regulator, the murders come as part of a crackdown on independent journalism. Since the coup in February 2021, media outlets have had their licenses revoked, journalists forced into exile and dozens arrested.

DVB's Aung Kyaw told VOA that more than 30 military personnel entered the home of freelancer Htet Myat Thu and shot him, DVB reporter Win Htut Oo and two resistance fighters.

VOA could not determine whether the journalists, the fighters or both were targeted. Local authorities did not respond to VOA's request for comment on the raid.

“When Htet Myat Tu's mother heard the gunshots and ran back to the house, she saw DVB reporter Win Htut Oo fall to the ground with a gunshot wound,” said Aung Kyaw. “Htet Myat and Win Htut Oo were childhood friends.”

The two journalists reported on the resistance movement. For security reasons, they interviewed opposition members in private spaces, including their homes.

Win Htut Oo had previously been arrested by the junta under Article 505 – an amended law that criminalizes the spreading of false information or fear about the military. The 26-year-old was last seen living in the house of his friend Htet Myat, 28.

The junta cremated the bodies of both journalists instead of handing them over to their families.

The media watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the killings as an “atrocity against the free press [that] must not go unpunished.”

Nay Aung, Editor-in-Chief of The voice of the nationtold VOA that Win Htut Oo worked for the local media company.

“He was a reporter who sent us daily news about the resistance's activities, not only news about the fighting but also about the economic development in the region,” Nay Aung said.

Two days before the raid, Win Htut Oo had reported on a police officer who had been arrested by the military for alleged links to the local People's Defense Forces (PDF fighters), as well as on a lawyer who was also accused of supporting the local pro-democracy militia.

“I think that must have been the reason for the raid that took place the day after the news was published,” Nay Aung said.

“It is not only our reporters who risk [their] lives to report, but all journalists in Myanmar also risk their lives to report on what is happening in the country and the suffering of the people,” he added.

Nay Aung said more must be done to ensure the safety of journalists in Myanmar and reporters are aware of the security risks.

“In addition, we need to make more preparations to create safe conditions for journalists to live and travel in the country.”

The media watchdog organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the killings.

In a statement, it said the junta “is using ruthless violence against those journalists who continue to courageously report in the country despite the ongoing conflict.”

“We reiterate our appeal to the international community to increase pressure on the regime to stop its campaign of terror against reporters,” said Cédric Alviani, RSF's Asia-Pacific director.

In addition, Myanmar journalists reiterated their call on the international community to put pressure on the military council on press freedom.

The editor-in-chief of the news agency Dawei Watch, Kyaw San Min, told VOA that two of its reporters were wrongfully arrested and sentenced to long prison terms.

Reporters Myo Myint Oo and Aung San Oo were arrested on December 11, 2023 and interrogated for four days. In separate military hearings, Myo Myint Oo was sentenced to life imprisonment in February and Aung San Oo to 20 years in May.

“They were sentenced to long prison terms without knowing which paragraph or articles they were charged under. Looking back at the entire process, there is no transparency whatsoever,” said Kyaw San Min. “Journalists do not receive justice. They have no right to a defense or explanation.”

With the military leadership announcing plans to hold elections sometime in 2025, some analysts fear there could be even more media attacks and arrests in the future.

Myanmar is already one of the countries with the highest prison sentences for journalists in the world: according to data from the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 43 people are imprisoned there because of their work.

Toe Zaw Latt of the Independent Press Council of Myanmar said journalists were being unfairly repressed.

“We also need to better protect journalists from this target,” he said, adding that Myanmar's media is discussing appropriate steps with groups such as RSF.

This article originally appeared in VOA's Burmese service.