Amid government pressure and a weak infrastructure, journalists in Myanmar struggle to work after the recent earthquake.

Originally published on DW Akademie

A Nyo* is a 30-year-old journalist from Mandalay in central Myanmar, one of the most difficult countries in the world to be an independent journalist. Her region has been a hotspot of conflict between the military junta and various armed groups following the coup in 2021. Then, in March, the earthquake hit.

The 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28 resulted in more than 3,700 deaths, injured more than 5,000 people and 88 individuals went missing, according to the ruling military government. The real numbers could be significantly higher.

On the day of the earthquake, A Nyo had just returned to her home for a brief period before moving on to another safe house. A reporter who had been in close contact with her had been arrested by police the day before.

“The earthquake struck while I was in the middle of packing. It was so intense,” A Nyo explained in a recent interview with DW Akademie. 

The earthquake caused her home to partly collapse. Her family dared not stay at their damaged house, instead sleeping in the street due to concerns over aftershocks. Her family has since moved to a temporary shelter.

A rare voice on the ground

The earthquake has caused extensive damage and destruction especially in the Naypyidaw, Mandalay and Sagaing regions. According to the United Nations, it has left more than a million people in need.

In the aftermath, the military has continued to bomb the affected region, especially Sagaing, where A Nyo was born.  It has also banned foreign journalists from reporting and travelling to the earthquake area, citing security issues.

A Nyo has worked as a journalist for almost 10 years for various media outlets. Since the 2021 military coup, she has been one of the few journalists in central Myanmar who continue reporting on the ground for Myaelatt Athan, a media house now based in exile.

Reporting on the affected region holds multiple dangers. Not only do journalists struggle to access the affected areas, but they also face a heightened risk of arrest. A Nyo is now staying with some close friends to maintain her parents’ safety.

Since the coup, journalists in Myanmar regularly move between different safe places without maintaining regular contact with their families.

Journalists in exile

After the Myanmar military coup on February 1, 2021, the junta raided media offices, revoked licenses and detained dozens of journalists. Many fled to neighbouring countries to continue covering Myanmar. A Nyo’s own family fled Sagaing and moved to Mandalay in 2023.

Those remaining inside the country have had to deal with security challenges, unreliable internet and frequent power outages. In the earthquake-affected areas, accessing the internet is extremely difficult, as mobile service has been spotty and power blackouts more regular. This has made it difficult to assess what is happening, even in nearby areas.

All these challenges have become even more dire since March, when the earthquake struck a country already in chaos.

Getting the story out

“Our journalists on the ground need to travel to locations near the city where internet access is available to send their news,” said Chan Thiri Soe, sub-editor and Citizen Journalists Network and in-charge of the TV channel Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB). “Afterwards, they delete all their data before returning to their towns.”

According to Chan Thiri Soe, 60% of the news covered by the DVB newsroom relies on such dispatches from field reporters who provide first-hand accounts and insights. They play a crucial role in the newsroom operation of exile media. However, the media houses struggle to provide their contributors on the ground essential resources such as equipment, safe houses and emergency evacuation assistance, which increases their vulnerability.

Facing budgetary crises

Following the recent USAID funding stop, some newsrooms have had to reduce their news production, with some even ceasing operations entirely.

According to data gathered by the Independent Press Council of Myanmar (IPCM), among a total of 73 Myanmar independent media houses, 64 are exile-based organizations employing more than 1,400 Myanmar journalists.

Myaelatt Athan also had to reduce its staff numbers because of the funding cuts. One Myaelatt Athan journalist, Than Htike Myint, who lost his job and returned to Myanmar, was arrested by the military upon his return to the country.  He has been sentenced to five years in prison under an anti-terrorism law. This is the second time he has been imprisoned since the coup.

“Thinking about going back to the country requires a lot of consideration and hesitation,” said Saw Pe*, a newsroom editor at Mizzima. His is one of the media outlets who were forced to cut journalists’ salaries, and his family is no longer able to rely only on this income in exile.

The journalists still in Myanmar have also been facing significant salary cuts. An average salary is around $200 (€220) per month and journalists routinely have to cover extra costs for constantly moving between safe houses.

“I earn less than journalists working abroad, but the risks are much greater,” said A Nyo. “I don’t even own a laptop. I have to do interviews and write notes on my phone. The phone isn’t good, either.”

Threats from all sides

For A Nyo and many field reporters in Myanmar, living dangerously has become a kind of routine.

“The threats come not only from the military, but from all armed groups,” she said. “Working amidst danger with anxiety has become a normal part of my life. I am always on alert.”

She has lost her home and other journalists have lost relatives due to the earthquake. Yet they continue to report, driven by a sense of responsibility.

“I don’t feel sadness or fear anymore, no matter what kind of situation it is,” she said. “One thing I am afraid of is being captured and tortured by the military. That is what terrifies me the most. I just want to do my job as a professional to the best of my ability. Whenever I think about stopping, I can’t stop. I don’t want to carry a weapon.”

*The real names of those interviewed have been changed for security reasons

Article by Soe Soe Htoon

DW Akademie works with exile media from Myanmar, with support from the Federal Foreign Office of Germany (AA).