Geneva: Expressing deep concern over the restrictions imposed on 97 media outlets by Myanmar’s military-controlled government, the global media rights and safety body, Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), has urged the authorities in Naypyitaw to immediately revoke all bans, restrictions, and licence cancellations affecting independent news organizations.
Reacting to recent reports that the operating licences of three additional media outlets—Myaelatt Athan, Red News Agency, and Asia Citizens—have been revoked, the PEC called on Myanmar’s quasi-civilian junta government to ensure that all media organizations are allowed to carry out their journalistic responsibilities in a free, fair, and independent environment.
“We demand that all independent media outlets and publishing houses be allowed to function without restrictions. Myanmar’s Independent Press Council has stated that the country remains among the world’s worst offenders in terms of press freedom. The newly appointed President, Min Aung Hlaing, should take the initiative to ease all restrictions on the media in Myanmar,” said Blaise Lempen, President of the Press Emblem Campaign.
PEC’s South and Southeast Asia representative, Nava Thakuria, informed that more than 215 media professionals have been arrested since the military coup on February 1, 2021. Of these, 18 journalists remain in detention.
According to Athan, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting freedom of expression in Myanmar, no new arrests of journalists by the military junta were reported during the first quarter of 2026. The organization also noted that seven journalists were released under an amnesty by the end of March this year.
The PEC reiterated its call on the Myanmar authorities to restore press freedom, end censorship, and create an environment where journalists can work safely and independently without fear of persecution.
