Junta wages war on information space in Arakan State

By Admin 05 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
5 December 2023, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime, which stands credibly accused of violating human rights and committing war crimes in Arakan State, is now making threats to people’s right to information.

The ‘Rakhine Daily’ Facebook page run by the Arakan State military council said on Tuesday that the council is making a list of netizens who have shared, copied and posted on their walls and leave comments on new stories published by local media outlets in Arakan State, and that action would be taken against them. If they are currently living in foreign countries, action would be taken against them when they renew their passports, it said.

Among the media outlets listed by the Arakan State military council are Western News, Narinjara, Development Media Group, Border News Agency, Arakan Bay News, Cuckoo Chay Vlog, Arakan Princess Media, Voice of Westland and One Nation News. The council accused these media outlets of intentionally publishing false reports to incite racial and armed conflicts.

U Kaung Myat Naing, editor-in-chief of Border News Agency, said: “The regime is attempting to threaten readers as it is unable to control Arakanese media agencies that are reporting on the situation on the ground and the junta’s human rights violations.”

Meanwhile, the regime has filed lawsuits against two Sittwe residents for allegedly spreading misinformation on social media. The two face incitement charges under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code, according to Rakhine Daily.

“Readers should be allowed to comment freely, this is freedom of expression. They would criticise the regime if they think the regime did wrong. If it does not want to be criticised, it should avoid doing things that attract criticisms,” said an Arakan State resident.

Junta troops have been pounding many towns and rural areas in Arakan State during the latest fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA). The regime is also making arbitrary arrests, raiding local media outlets and arresting journalists at an accelerated clip.

Western News editor-in-chief U Wunna Kwar Nyo said: “We have been reporting about the regime’s human rights violations to the international community. And people also share our reports. The regime wants to control it. However, it won’t be effective.”

The regime has blockaded roads and waters in Arakan State since renewed fighting broke out on November 13, resulting in shortages of food items and medical supplies. Civilian casualties inflicted by junta artillery strikes continue to rise.