Myanmar: CFWIJ Stands In Solidarity With Journalists Resisting The Military Takeover
Location: Myanmar, Naypyitaw
Date: February 19, 2021
PHOTO CREDIT: ASSOCIATED PRESS
Several journalists resigned from a national newspaper once it appeared that the publication was succumbing to military demands. Earlier, the same day, journalists also left the press council in protest following an emergency meeting with the new regime.
On February 18, more than twenty journalists resigned from The Myanmar Times when it became obvious that the management had decided to comply with the military's terms regarding how the paper was to be run. The management banned the use of the term "coup" when reporting on the recent power grab, and instructed journalists to use "power transfer" instead. Journalists viewed this as an attempt at censorship and decided to quit instead of agreeing to the violation of their civil liberties.
Earlier the same day, fifteen out of twenty journalists resigned from the Myanmar Press Council. The council serves as a media adjudication body, which is supposed to resolve any press disputes, regulates the ethics guides, and offer protection to the journalist community of the country. The resignations came right after an emergency meeting with the new regime. And while the contents of the meeting have not been revealed, it is clear that the resignations came as a sign of protest.
These are brave attempts to keep the hope for democracy alive when the military response to the resistance has been severe. According to a reporter at Frontier Myanmar, four teachers and about 50 protesters have been detained. Journalists say media workers are also being targeted, with police firing slingshots at anyone taking photos. Videos on Twitter show police charging at protesters together with soldiers armed with rifles, and there here have been reported instances of the police opening fire on the protestors. The state has also curbed connectivity, and the internet has been cut for five consecutive nights.
Journalism is a vital tool of democracy. It serves as a communication channel between governments and the people and holds those in power accountable. For it to be censored, silenced, or compromised can serve as a fatal blow to the effort of keeping democratic principles alive in society. Journalists who are loyal to their responsibilities in this political system and refuse to stand by and watch a dictatorial regime curb their civil liberties stand at the forefront of resistance.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with the journalists in the country standing by their principles under immense pressure. It also condemns the management of The Myanmar Times for caving in and choosing to side with power instead of their employees attempting to speak truth to power.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
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