Country Profile: Myanmar
Context
CONTEXT
HISTORICAL MYANMAR EXILED MEDIA COMMUNITY EXPANDS RAPIDLY POST-2021 COUP
Myanmar’s independent media has faced two major waves of exile, each with profound structural consequences. The initial wave occurred during the 1990s and 2000s under military regimes, when outlets like The Irrawaddy and Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) operated from various locations, notably including Thailand and Norway. A brief period of liberalization starting in 2012 allowed some of them to return to Myanmar. However, the 2021 military coup marked the beginning of a second, much more extensive wave of media displacement.
Immediately after the coup, the junta started to revoke media licenses. Journalists faced mass arrests, torture, and at least seven were confirmed killed while in custody or on assignment. Newsrooms were raided and destroyed, leading many staff to flee. Internet blackouts, targeted surveillance, and laws criminalizing basic reporting made operations inside the country nearly impossible.
Most exiled media are now based in Thailand, particularly in Chiang Mai, Mae Sot, and border towns. Larger outlets like DVB, The Irrawaddy, Mizzima, Myanmar Now, and Frontier Myanmar have maintained consistent operations, though under extreme constraints. A number of outlets also operate from border areas (including the Indian, Bangladeshi and Thai border regions), beyond the military government control, in a state of semi-exile and/or uncertain security.
Dozens of smaller and newer media have also emerged in exile, often with ethnic, regional, or thematic focus. As a result, the Myanmar exiled media space is made of a handful of large national media, regional or local media (including many smaller ones) and ethnic media focused on a specific group and/or corresponding territory (1). Many outlets retain secret contributors inside the country, working under coded identities and through encrypted communication to maintain a connection to events on the ground.
These media are considered vital because they continue to inform domestic audiences through VPNs, YouTube, Telegram, FM radio and informal print networks. They also serve the Burmese diaspora and the international community. Outlets like Myanmar Now and The Irrawaddy are respected for their investigative journalism, while others like Kachin News Group and Karen News Agency cover underrepresented ethnic perspectives. Some very small initiatives use pamphlets and offline distribution in electricity-deprived areas (access to internet and electricity is a growing issue, reducing otherwise vibrant, social media-heavy news consumption, particularly among younger audiences).
Funding is a critical issue for exiled media from Myanmar, particularly after the cuts in USAID support, which exacerbated long-standing funding constraints. As a result, the bulk of media have had to reduce headcount, cut down salaries and otherwise lower operational expenditures. The reductions in staff have also compounded an issue related to high turnover, with many new and inexperienced journalists joining, which has impacted quality.
However, there is also an the urgent need for holistic support, encompassing legal assistance, shelter, and digital security, is equally pressing. The working conditions for journalists, particularly women, have deteriorated significantly since the coup. Organizations like Exile Hub have demonstrated remarkable resilience by supporting over 1,500 individuals (journalists and activists) with safety, training, and production grants.
Journalists face immense challenges in traveling between Myanmar and host countries due to the pervasive repression. This repression manifests in arbitrary detention, digital surveillance, criminal charges often related to terrorism or incitement, and targeted attacks. Despite these formidable obstacles, the journalism sector has demonstrated remarkable adaptability and resilience. The 2023 establishment of the Independent Press Council of Myanmar in exile marks a significant milestone, heralding a new era of coordination and collective resistance.
(1) Note: due to the government losing control over parts of the country, some media, particularly ethnic and regional ones, have re-established partial or full presence in Myanmar, complicating the classification of being exiled. The situation continues to evolve dynamically.