Burma: ‘I Will Be A Journalist Till The End’
LU KYAW FOR REPORTING ASEAN
10 DECEMBER 2022
“The saying ‘journalism is not a crime’ does not work here. It’s the opposite. We (journalists) are afraid of everything. We have to worry about everything,” says Ma Khine, who has been in working in news for eight years now.
“We can do nothing (freely). Nothing. Can’t pull out the camera, can’t take photos in public areas,” she adds, given that Myanmar’s military regime continues to arrest and prosecute journalists and shut down independent news outfits.
“I dare not let people know that I am a journalist,” Ma Khine explains, not least because of the distrust that characterises the country’s political atmosphere since the military coup of February 2021.
The risks that come with being a journalist in Myanmar have been reported widely, but individuals like Ma Khine live with these daily.
She continues to do news work inside the country, including in areas controlled by the military, despite the extremely risky news environment and inadequate income that journalism brings at a time of economic crisis.
But while she continues reporting from Yangon, the country’s commercial capital, she worries about her security.
“I haven’t been able to sleep well since the coup. I am afraid even of the clump-clump (the thud of footsteps) on the ladder (outside) my apartment. All through the day and night, I can’t feel at ease,” Ma Khine said. “If someone looks at me (for a bit longer than usual), I don’t feel secure.”
She has gotten used to moving homes again and again, keeping her news work to herself.
She has also witnessed the arrest of some of her journalist friends and has, on several occasions, fled protest sites to avoid being taken in, or shot at, by the junta’s security troops. “(It’s) not only some of my friends (who have been arrested). Other journalists who I know have been arrested by the military right in front of my eyes,” she recalled.
“When I was reporting about a demonstration against the military, soldiers fired on people and I ran and hid in a house together with the other guys. At that time, one of the policemen fired a random shot toward our hiding place and it hit the guy next to me,” she said. “I was so scared.”
Going by the count of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), 163 media persons have been arrested since the coup, and 30 held in prison, as of 8 December 2022.
Myanmar’s military regime, or the State Administration Council (SAC), has also revoked the licenses of 14 news outlets.
Myanmar ranked 176th out of 180 countries in the 2022 World Press Freedom Index of the France-based Reporters Without Borders.
At end-December 2021, the prison census of the US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) found the country to be the world’s second-worst jailer of journalists after China. Myanmar ranked eighth in the CPJ’s 2022 Global Impunity Index, which lists countries that have consistently failed to solve journalists’ murders.
Since the coup, many among Myanmar’s journalists have relocated to safer parts of the country, such as those held by ethnic armed organisations that have been fighting the military for decades. Many have gone into exile into neighbouring Thailand, or to other countries.
After the coup, Ma Khine’s parents, who are business people and have been managing to make ends meet, had asked her to return to their hometown. But “most of them (people in my hometown) know each other,” she explained. “I can’t continue to be a journalist there (for security reasons). I want to continue as a journalist, so I decided not to go back.”
“I can’t buy the kind of rice I ate before because prices have soared. I have to choose the cheapest for everything.”
She contributes news and features for free to news outlets that have limited editorial budgets. When media groups are able to pay her modest amounts, she sends some funds from these payments to assist detained journalists.
Many of Ma Khine’s stories are about anti-coup protests, crackdowns on protesters, the plight of political prisoners, and those killed, arrested or tortured under the military regime. At times, she also passes on information to journalists in exile.
As it is not possible to survive solely on income from news, Ma Khine makes some income from selling food that she cooks, or sourcing various items from other parts of the country for customers. “Those kinds of jobs are not my profession. But I have to work in all of them to live in Yangon and continue as journalist,” she said.
Before the coup, she was making 400,000 Myanmar kyat (around 300 US dollars in early 2021) a month, an amount that she found enough for her basic needs. These days, her income is down by half, or 200,000 kyat (less than 70 dollars at current exchange rates) in a month.
The country’s economy has been in deep crisis since the coup, which also took place during COVID-19. As of September 2022, the World Food Programme says 15.2 million people in the country of over 55 million are facing “acute food insecurity”.
The cost of a basic food basket has increased by 62% year-on-year as of its September update, the WFP said. The price of cooking oil has jumped by 137 percent, rice by 53 percent and fuel prices by 94 percent from last year, it added.
No longer able to rent a flat as she did in the past, Ma Khine stays in a tiny room she rents for 40,000 kyat (15 dollars) each month.
Like many others, she has switched to buying cheaper food options. She no longer has regular breakfasts, as well as tea times. But if there are leftovers from the previous day, she has those in the morning.
“I am eating Sin Thwe, Ze Yar,” Ma Khine said, listing the cheap broken rice she uses these days. “I had never eaten those before. I can’t buy the kind of rice I ate before because prices have soared. I used sunflower oil to cook before, (but) I don’t know what kind of oil I use now. I have to choose the cheapest for everything.”
Journalists inside the country can find themselves safer if they take up work with local media houses that have been following the SAC’s rules for reporting news.
“I can get regular income from these,” she agreed. “But if I join them, I have to avoid (reporting on) the cases which need to be covered nowadays, and I would have to report other unimportant issues (instead). So, I don’t join them.”
“I will be a journalist till the end. It doesn’t matter they arrest or kill me,” Ma Khine said. “Even if I can’t report the news, I am happy to let people know the (on-the) ground situation of Myanmar through exiled journalists.”
(END/Reporting ASEAN/Edited by J Son)
Burma: IFJ launches anti-wage theft campaign
The International Federation of Journalists and its affiliate, the Myanmar Journalists Network (MJN), have today launched a campaign to end the underpayment of Burmese journalists and media workers, both inside Myanmar and in exile, by local and international media outlets. The IFJ and the MJN commend the continued perseverance of Myanmar’s independent journalists amid immeasurable challenges under the military junta and urge the global media community to continue to pay media workers commensurate to the assignment.
The new anti-wage theft campaign, supported by Norsk Journalistlag and produced by media workers on the Myanmar border in collaboration with the MJN and Myanmar Women Journalists Society, tells the first-hand experiences of shortchanging by local and international media of journalists both inside and in exile.
Through the MJN, the IFJ has documented the payment of professional journalists, some with decades of experience, at citizen journalist rates, with many international media outlets paying diminutive amounts and failing to give credit for footage, images and hard-to-source interviews with people inside Myanmar, including Internally Displaced People, People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) and Ethnic Armed Organisations.
While funding from international non-government organisations and media funders has provided support to larger, established outlets, smaller media houses and independent journalists have reported underpayment and non-payment of agreed wages by outlet managers.
Experienced reporters working inside Myanmar, particularly those in conflict zones, are highly susceptible to arrest and face life-threatening attacks, harassment, and intimidation from the military junta. A young freelance reporter working from a borderline conflict area told the IFJ she is paid the wages of an intern or citizen journalist, approximately 5,000 kyat (USD 24) salary per month.
At least four media workers have been killed in Myanmar since the military coup in February 2021. On November 30, a court in the Ayeyarwady region’s Pyapon Prison sentenced freelance reporter Myo San Soe to fifteen years in prison, while on November 22, veteran Myanmar journalist Thuzar was also sentenced to two years imprisonment at Yangon’s Insein prison court under Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code.
The IFJ’s recent report, The Revolution Will Not Be Broadcast – Myanmar: IFJ Situation Report 2022, highlighted the ongoing legal and economic challenges facing journalists and media workers under the junta’s repression of press freedom and independent journalism and called on the international community to increase pressure on Myanmar’s military junta to guarantee the safety of all Burmese citizens.
View the full anti-wage theft campaign at the IFJ Myanmar online hub here.
The MJN said: “At a time when Myanmar journalists are working under extremely dangerous conditions, MJN would like to request news outlets to prioritize the rights of journalists to be able to live and work safely, rather than focusing on the growth and profits of the news outlet.”
The IFJ said: “The launch of the anti-wage theft campaign sends a strong message to local media outlets and international media to stop the short-changing of Burmese journalists and media workers. Professional journalists must be paid appropriately and given credit for their indispensable work under the military junta and in exile. The IFJ stands in solidarity with our Burmese colleagues and commends the brave work of the country’s media in resisting the military’s impositions and continuing to report in the face of immeasurable challenges.”
For further information contact IFJ Asia – Pacific on [email protected]
The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 140 countries
Twitter: @ifjasiapacific, on Facebook: IFJAsiaPacific and Instagram
US House passes NDAA including Burma Act
The United States House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2023 on Dec. 8. It includes the Burma Act, which would provide aid to pro-democracy forces, including the National Unity Government (NUG), National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CPRH), and the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), as entities to support to bring an end to military rule. It stipulates that sanctions must be imposed on senior military officials, including Burma Army personnel, members of the junta, and anyone working in Burma’s defense industry. It recommends sanctions be imposed on Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), a key generator of foreign currency for the military.
The Burma Act authorizes funds to be made available to provide technical support and non-lethal assistance to ethnic armed groups and the People’s Defense Force (PDF). Programs that support Burma Army defectors were outlined as a priority. The aid must be channeled toward civil society organizations and UN agencies, not through the junta. The NUG welcomed the passage of the Burma Act. “Significant progress in the US Congress to further punish the Myanmar junta for the attempted power grab and human rights abuses,” its spokesperson said on Twitter. The U.S. Senate will vote on the NDAA 2023 in the coming days. If it passes, it will then be sent to President Biden to sign into law.
Chin pastor receives prison sentence, Former junta ministers sentenced for corruption
FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Chin pastor receives lengthy prison sentence
Mandalay’s Obo Prison Court sentenced Thian Lian Sang to 23 years in prison on Dec. 7. The pastor at Falam Baptist Church, Thian Lian Sang was sentenced to three years in prison with hard labor under Section 505(a) and 20 years under Section 49(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law. “He is kind and participates actively in youth programs. He helps the poor. He is not involved in political movements and peacefully serves his religion,” a friend of Thian Lian Sang told Mizzima. Thian Lian Sang was arrested at his home in September 2021. The Baptist World Alliance has called for the pastor’s immediate release.
Sino-Burmese businessperson receives prison sentence
Yangon’s Insein Prison Court sentenced Michael Kyaw Myint to six years in prison and fined him K100,00o (47.63 USD) on Dec. 6. The businessman and chairperson of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Michael Kyaw Myint, was convicted under Section 82 and 171 of the Financial Institutions Law. “I heard that the court will decide other charges under the immigration law this month,” a source told DVB. Michael Kyaw Myint was arrested in September 2o2o. Before the 2020 election, the Union Election Commission (UEC) dissolved his political party, the UDP, for allegedly receiving illicit funds.
Former junta ministers sentenced to prison for corruption
Insein Prison Court handed out sentences to three junta-appointed ministers on Dec. 8, according to sources. Hla Soe received 15 years, Aung Than Oo received 20 years, and Soe Soe Zaw received six years. “All of them were sentenced under corruption charges,” a source said. Hla Soe was arrested in December 2021 and the two others were arrested earlier this year. The junta’s Anti-Corruption Commission filed charges against the three last June for allegedly taking bribes. The three were appointed to the junta in August 2021.
News by Region
RAKHINE—A student and a motorcyclist in Maungdaw Township were charged under Section 17(1)(2) of the Unlawful Association Act. Aye Myat Sandar, 24, and Maung Kyaw, 28, were arrested on Nov. 1. “My sister and the motorcyclist were charged under the Unlawful Association Act, but we don’t know when the trial will start. We have not yet met with her since the day she was arrested,” a family member said. Aye Myat Sandar’s family said that she is not connected to any political groups. Over 200 people have been arrested by the Arakan Army (AA) or the Burma Army. Among the 200 detained, more than 80 people have been released, according to the AA.
The United League of Arakan (ULA) has expanded its administration in Ponnagyun Township, locals told Narinjara News. “The ULA can handle everything including solving cases,” a resident said. Many locals refuse to work with junta officials. Seventy percent of the junta’s administrators have resigned because of this, according to reports. Administrators from Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw and Rathedaung townships have resigned in the last four years.
YANGON—The junta increased security at the Dagon University campus, located in North Dagon Township, on Dec. 7. “They shut all doors and told students to go home. I’m not sure when the university will reopen,” a student told DVB. An Insein Prison Court sentenced seven university students to death under Section 302 of the Penal Code on Nov. 30.
Burma Army troops were killed at a checkpoint in North Okkalapa on Dec. 8, according to resistance groups. Two local groups claimed to have attacked the troops using remote devices. “Three plainclothes and two uniformed soldiers were killed,” a spokesperson told DVB. “We took time to monitor and ensure that civilians were not affected,” he added.
An explosion occurred at Mingaladon Myoma police station on Dec. 7. “The bomb blast occurred in the compound of the police station. No one was killed, but I heard others were wounded. I think they [the wounded] are police,” a resident told DVB. Local resistance groups claimed to have conducted the attack using remote devices. At least 11 explosions have occurred in Yangon since Dec. 1.
A man was shot in Thaketa Township on Dec. 7. He was suspected of being a military informant, according to locals. “His back was wounded but he did not die. The military came and brought him to a hospital,” a resident told DVB.
DVB PICKS—Tomorrow is Human Rights Day, Dec. 10. Watch this Doh Athan short video on the rights of workers in Burma. The International Labor Organization (ILO) states that since the 2021 coup, 1.1 million workers have lost their jobs. Know your rights. Stay tuned.
Junta to prosecute detained Kachin leader
The military council is preparing to file charges against Hkalam Samson, a Kachin leader detained on Dec. 5 at Myitkyina Airport. Samson is an advisor to the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC). “Four executives from our organization went to the minister. We learned that the Sayadaw [Hkalam Samson] would be charged. We will work for his release by forming a new committee and connecting with other relevant people,” said Lahpai Zau Ra, the deputy general secretary of the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC).
Lahpai Zau Ra explained in a video message that the KBC was informed that some of Samson’s sermons violated the law. Samson was arrested at Myitkyina airport after being briefly detained at Mandalay International Airport, on his way to Bangkok for medical treatment, on Dec. 5. “His family members have not been able to contact him yet. It has been four days,” a source told DVB. U.K.-based human rights group Global Witness issued a statement on Dec. 6 demanding Samson’s unconditional release.
