But in many ways, the limited media freedoms enjoyed by journalists in the decade before the coup were more the exception than the rule. Today’s journalists are following in the storied footsteps of those who went before them, risking their lives in a decades-long struggle to tell the Myanmar story to the world.After independence in 1948, Burma—as the country was then known—had a reasonable amount of press freedom. Dozens of daily newspapers proliferated on newsstands, in Burmese as well as English, Chinese, and a host of other languages. Like much else in the country, however, the situation drastically changed after dictator Ne Win grabbed power in 1962, introducing the Burmese Way to Socialism that turned the country into a pariah state.This included banning books, magazines, and journals that were deemed to be under too much “foreign influence,” shuttering libraries previously established by diplomatic missions, and ousting international correspondents. In the early years of Ne Win’s rule, the regime nationalized private newspapers and established the News Agency Burma to control information.“Every form of news gathering now carries risks with it: risk of imprisonment, even risk of being shot. So now, almost all the journalists have suddenly transformed into underground operatives.”
This screengrab provided via AFPTV video footage taken on April 10, 2021 shows an underground newsletter being produced to spread information in Yangon, amid internet outages as demonstrations continue against the military coup. Photo: AFPTV / AFP
“When the NLD became the government, it was even easier to talk with the government administration members as they were civilians, and some of them understood the role of the media.”
Reuters journalists Wa Lone (L) and Kyaw Soe Oo gesture as they walk to Insein prison gate after being freed in a presidential amnesty in Yangon on May 7, 2019. Photo: ANN WANG / POOL / AFP
For those on the ground, the psychological strain is immense.“I am scared and feel unsafe to cover the coup with these deadly crackdowns. I have sleepless nights and nightmares,” said a female Myanmar photojournalist, who requested anonymity out of fear of retribution.“It feels like our area of work in the field is becoming narrower, and I feel like I can be arrested at any time,” she said.Despite the fears, she and many others operating in Myanmar have demonstrated a resilience and desire to continue reporting. “All Myanmar people are fighting for democracy, and have sacrificed so many lives, including children,” she said. “But I will fight in my own way, by covering the coup until we get democracy, and I will let the world know the truth with my photos.” Oliver Slow is working on a book about the Myanmar military. He is a former chief-of-staff at Frontier Myanmar, an award-winning magazine.“In the last few years, journalists have been fundamental in sharing crucial information and helping to advance democracy in Myanmar, and the military knows this.”