WASHINGTON — Journalists in Myanmar are calling for greater protections for media following the killing last week of two reporters, and the heavy sentences handed down to other media professionals since the military seized power.
A journalist with the Democratic Voice of Burma, or DVB, and a freelancer were both killed on Aug. 21 when the military raided the home of the freelance reporter in the town of Kyaikhto, in Mon state.
The killings come amid a crackdown on independent journalism, according to media watchdogs. Since the February 2021 coup, media have had licenses revoked, journalists have been forced into exile and dozens have been detained.
Aung Kyaw of DVB told VOA more than 30 military members entered the home of freelancer Htet Myat Thu and fatally shot both him and DVB reporter Win Htut Oo, along with two resistance fighters.
VOA was unable to determine if the journalists, the fighters, or both were the targets. Local authorities did not respond to VOA’s request for comment on the raid.
"When Htet Myat Thu's mother heard the gunshots and ran back to the house, she saw DVB reporter Win Htut Oo falling down with a gunshot wound,” said Aung Kyaw. “Htet Myat and Win Htut Oo were childhood friends.”
The journalists both reported on the resistance movement. For safety reasons they interviewed opposition members in private spaces, including their home.
Win Htut Oo had previously been arrested by the junta under Section 505 — amended legislation that penalizes spreading anything deemed to be false information or fear about the military. The 26-year-old had more recently been living at the home of his friend, Htet Myat, 28.
The junta cremated the bodies of both journalists instead of returning them to their families.
Media watchdog the Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the killings as “an atrocity against the free press [that] must not go unpunished.”
Nay Aung, the editor-in-chief of The Nation Voice, told VOA that Win Htut Oo worked for the local media outlet.
"He was a reporter who sent us daily news about the resistance activities, not just the battle news, but also the economic news in the region,” said Nay Aung.
Two days before the raid, Win Htut Oo had reported on a police officer arrested by the military over suspected connections to the local People’s Defense Forces, or PDF fighters, and about a female lawyer who was also accused of supporting the local pro-democracy militia.
“I think it must have been the reason behind the raid, which happened the day after the news were published,” Nay Aung said.
"Not only our reporters risk [their] lives to file reports but also all the journalists in Myanmar are risking their lives, reporting news that is happening in the country and the suffering of the people,” he added.
Nay Aung said that more needs to be done to ensure journalist safety in Myanmar and that reporters understand the security risks.
“In addition, we need to prepare more to create safe conditions for journalists to live and travel in the country."
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, known as RSF, condemned the killings.
In a statement, it said that the junta is “demonstrating ruthless violence against the journalists still courageously reporting in the country despite the prolonged conflict.”
“We again renew our call on the international community to step up pressure on the regime to cease its campaign of terror against reporters,” said RSF Asia-Pacific head, Cédric Alviani.
Myanmar’s journalists have also been renewing calls for the international community to pressure the military council on press freedom.
The editor in chief of the Dawei Watch news agency, Kyaw San Min, told VOA that two of its reporters were unjustly arrested and sentenced to lengthy prison terms.
Reporters Myo Myint Oo and Aung San Oo were arrested on Dec. 11, 2023, and questioned for four days. In separate military hearings, Myo Myint Oo was sentenced to life in prison in February and Aung San Oo was sentenced to 20 years in May.
"They were sentenced to long prison terms without knowing what section or article they were charged under. Looking back on this whole process, there is no transparency at all,” said Kyaw San Min. “There is no justice for journalists. There is no right to defend nor explain."
With the military leaders saying they will hold elections at some point in 2025, some analysts believe more media may face attacks or arrests.
Myanmar is already one of the top jailers of journalists globally, with at least 43 detained there for their work, according to data by the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Toe Zaw Latt, of the Independent Press Council of Myanmar, said that journalists are being oppressed unfairly.
"We also need to protect journalists more from this end,” he said, adding that Myanmar’s media are discussing steps with groups including RSF.
This article originated in VOA’s Burmese Service.
