Myanmar’s Most Oppressive Year Against Media – Eurasia Review

By Tommy Walker

Myanmar’s media freedom record has charted a drastically downward trajectory over the past year.

Within hours of the military ousting Myanmar’s democratically elected government in February, the junta sought to control access to information, cutting the internet and blocking social media sites.

From there, broadcasters had their licenses revoked, journalists were arrested, and in December, at least two media workers were killed: photojournalist Soe Naing, who died in military custody, and Sai Win Aung, who was killed covering fighting in the Myawadddy district of the country, near the Thai border.

Myanmar went into 2020 with no journalists behind bars. By March, the junta had detained dozens of journalists, including Thein Zaw, who works for the Associated Press, and freelance journalist Robert Bociaga.

Dismal year

Political analyst Aung Thu Nyein said 2021 was…