The Dilemma of Rakhine Journalists’ Lives: A catch-22 situation
In the early days before 2010, Rakhine’s media landscape was virtually undeveloped. Most journalists from Rakhine wrote as freelance correspondents for national and international media outlets, without a substantial local media presence.
At that time, there were very few reporters in Rakhine, and most of them were involved in other literary or political circles rather than working as full-time journalists.
After the 2010 election, under President Thein Sein, freedom of the press began to expand across Myanmar. This new freedom allowed Rakhine-based media to establish a presence within the state, offering coverage on local issues like the economy, social challenges, and the daily struggles of the people. Around 2013, Development Media Group (DMG) set up its office in Sittwe, followed closely by the Narinjara News Agency, marking the first locally established media organizations in Rakhine after 2010.
The Rise of Media Outlets and Challenges of Competition
Leading up to the 2021 military coup, numerous media outlets appeared in Rakhine State, including Root Investigative Agency (RIA), Voice of Arakan, and various journals such as Rakhine Literature and Culture Journal, Thazin Pan Khaing Journal, Rakhine Time Journal, Yoma Times Journal have emerged in Rakhine. Aside from Development Media Group and Narinjara, other media outlets have generally had a short lifespan, frequently appearing briefly and then disappearing. Many did not last long, publishing briefly before facing challenges that led them to discontinue print editions or move entirely online.
Following the 2015 elections, new media outlets like Western News, Voice of Westland, and Border News Agency began emerging as online-only platforms. They primarily focused on documenting the struggles and hardships faced by people across Rakhine. These media organizations largely depended on support from ethnic media development organizations and international aid.
Threats and Targeted Violence Against Media and Journalists
The growth of media in Rakhine attracted many young people to journalism and increased job opportunities in the field. However, journalists and media houses have faced significant challenges due to the sensitive issues they report on in Rakhine.
For example, in 2014, DMG faced a boycott from Ma.Ba.Tha (Tribe Religion Religious protection group) groups after publishing articles covering the activities of the Ma.Ba.Tha during the 2012 Rakhine conflict. This was the first major instance of press freedom being obstructed in Rakhine.
Subsequently, in 2016, Min Min Naing, editor-in-chief of the Root Investigative Agency, experienced a bomb attack at his residence. In December 2017, Kyaw Lin (Rainbow), a writer and journalist, was stabbed in Sittwe and faced another assassination attempt in May 2020 outside his home. These attacks seem connected to his critical writings on ethnic and religious issues. Their experiences of persecution are also the ongoing struggles of the Rakhine media, which remain unaddressed to this day.
Media Freedom in Rakhine from 2010 to 2015
With the leadership of President Thein Sein, media freedom flourished in Rakhine. Previously cautious officials began to embrace media, holding press briefings and engaging with reporters, bridging the relationship between the government and the public. During Thein Sein’s administration, there were no instances of media arrests or detentions. However, after 2015, under the National League for Democracy (NLD), media freedom in Rakhine started to decline. However, after the 2015 elections and the NLD’s rise to power, media freedoms began to shrink.
During the conflicts with the Arakan Army and the military junta from 2018 onward, the local population in Rakhine State has been experiencing difficulties. The military junta has been accused of arson against homes, forcibly confiscating food from villagers, and violating human rights. As a result, Rakhine-based media outlets like Development Media Group and Narinjara, which have been reporting on these issues, faced restrictions on their publications in 2019-2020, and journalists were also prosecuted.
The Reality for Rakhine Media After the 2021 Coup
During the military coup in 2021, the military junta escalated legal actions against Rakhine-based media. In January 2022, the editor-in-chief of Western News, Ko Wunna Khwar Nyo, and a journalist were charged under Section 124(a) of the Penal Code.
After that, throughout the period following the military’s takeover, the junta continued to file lawsuits against Rakhine media outlets like Western News, Border News Agency, and Arakan Bay News, labeling the editors as fugitives.
One of the most severe incidents involved the arrest of DMG journalist Ko Htet Aung on October 29, 2023, while he was gathering news. The military followed him to his office, confiscating office property and detaining one of the staff members.
In 2022, the military junta arrested local freelance journalist Ko Myat Thu Tun (aka) Pho Thiha and other residents in Maungdaw, subjecting them to charges under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code concerning public incitement and Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act, leading to over a year of legal proceedings. In early 2024, during the Arakan Army’s takeover of Maungdaw, the junta brutally executed all seven individuals.
Current Struggles of Rakhine Journalists
Despite the Arakan Army’s control over most of Rakhine State, most Rakhine journalists remain deeply concerned about arrests by the military council following the 2021 coup. Many have crossed borders into neighboring regions or sought refuge in liberated areas. They face significant challenges, including difficulties with phone and internet access, and are struggling with family livelihoods and basic necessities.
While these areas may be free of ground battles, concerns over airstrikes, along with frequent disruptions in transportation, electricity, and internet access, continue to hamper their ability to gather news effectively.
Additionally, journalists reporting from Rakhine face economic hardships due to rising fuel prices and overall inflation in the region. These challenges force them to carefully manage their income and expenses, making it difficult to sustain their livelihoods while continuing their essential work. As a result, many struggle to maintain financial stability amidst the growing cost of living, which further complicates their ability to gather and report news effectively.
Conclusion
Rakhine journalists navigate a precarious path amid ongoing military and ethnic conflicts, often dealing with complex issues of ethnic identity and loyalty. As long as these tensions continue, their lives will be a constant balancing act, reflecting the idea of “ treading a razor’s edge.” Their experiences are marked by a continuous struggle, encapsulated in the phrase “ suffering while striving,” as they persist in their essential work in a dangerous and uncertain environment.