Rakhine internet blackout criticized
The controversial internet blackout in parts of Rakhine State and Chin State made international headlines this week after Human Rights Watch claimed the ban may have left hundreds of thousands of people completely unaware of COVID-19. The organizatio
Pandemic sparks free-speech demonstrations
The COVID-19 pandemic is fueling Myanmar’s ongoing free-speech debate. Recent protests and statements from advocacy organizations have condemned what activists call state suppression amid a national crisis. A joint statement from 264 organizati
Journalist charged under terrorism act
A journalist has been charged with violating the Terrorism Act for conducting an interview with the Arakan Army (AA) rebel group. Nay Myo Lin, head editor of Voice of Myanmar, was charged after he spoke with officials from the AA, which the governmen
Telenor heeds order to block web sites
Telenor Myanmar has partially complied with a government order to block hundreds of websites for explicit content and fake news. The Ministry of Transport and Ccommunications had ordered the nation’s cellular carriers to prevent access to 221 w
Military police to sue Reuters for defamation
Myanmar’s military police will pursue legal action against international news agency Reuters for a report on Rohingya civilian deaths. The report, published in late January, quoted sources that blamed Myanmar army (Tatmadaw) artillery shells fo
