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June 17, 2025 – Myanmar –
A comprehensive report released by the International Centre for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) details the extensive repression faced by journalists in Myanmar since the military coup in February 2021. Over the four years from February 2021 to February 2025, Myanmar’s military regime has employed systematic legal and physical repression to silence the independent media and suppress critical reporting.
According to the ICNL’s findings, at least 221 journalists have been detained since the coup. Out of these, 88 have been convicted, collectively receiving 497 years of prison sentences. Some journalists have received individual sentences as long as 27 years. As of February 2025, 51 journalists remain incarcerated. The military’s repression is not limited to arrests; at least three journalists have reportedly died under torture while in custody.
The junta has aggressively applied nine legal statutes to target journalists, with laws against “false news” and “incitement” being the most frequently invoked. These charges are often used following closed-door trials that lack any semblance of due process. ICNL’s analysis indicates that nearly 70% of arrested journalists were explicitly targeted because of their reporting activities. The military’s approach has created a chilling effect, severely limiting the space for independent journalism.
The report also highlights gender-based disparities in the junta’s repression. While female journalists represent a smaller percentage of those arrested, they face higher conviction rates and suffer from gender-specific discrimination in detention and legal proceedings.
The crackdown has deeply affected Myanmar’s media landscape. A total of 99 media organizations, including both opposition and pro-military outlets, have suffered operational disruptions due to staff arrests, intimidation, and resource constraints. Despite the risks, many journalists continue to report in secret or from exile, demonstrating extraordinary resilience and commitment to informing the public.
ICNL calls on the international community to take stronger action, including providing protection for journalists, supporting legal reforms to repeal oppressive laws, and funding long-term structural initiatives to rebuild independent journalism in Myanmar. The report warns that without external pressure, the junta’s campaign to silence the media will continue unchecked.
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