We in Myanmar are facing many challenges since the 1 February military coup owing to the brutal crackdown against both us as individuals and as an organization, Mizzima Media. Following the coup, it became quite simply a question of life or death for us as to whether we want to continue our profession and pursuit of independent media for the people of Myanmar.

Our offices in Myanmar have been ransacked by the military. Meanwhile, some members of Mizzima are currently under detention, even subjected to torture; while many more of us face certain jail time – or worse – should junta forces manage to arrest us or attack our locations.

Challenges

However, this is not the first time that we are faced with such challenges. We operated as an exile media company based out of India and Thailand for 15 years prior to 2012 – a period of time that saw Mizzima labeled an enemy of the state.

We, therefore, have considerable experience in conducting our work clandestinely and circumventing attempts by the military authorities to obstruct our work. And today we also benefit from technological advancements and modern equipment.

Media outreach

So, to counter the pushbacks we are experiencing, we must first use various media platforms including satellite broadcasting and social media platforms to continue our daily work. Even if the military junta tries to shut down one or more platforms, we still have other media platforms we can employ to report, publish and broadcast to the people. Again, we were well prepared for this eventuality owing to the multi-media nature of our organization prior to the coup. And we make use of the various platforms to tell people how they can find us too.

Second, we station ourselves in different locations inside and outside the country so that even if one station or one area is attacked by the regime, we can continue our work from other locations.

Third, we use applications and software to protect not only those of us working from remote locations, but also to protect our Mizzima reporters, freelance reporters and citizen journalists who are daily sending us reports, photos and videos from throughout Myanmar’s cities and various regions. I must add that the volume of material being sent to Mizzima on a daily basis from around the country is testament to the broad-based and national nature of the opposition to the coup.

Objectivity

Of course, the military junta also uses technology and human resources to spread disinformation and propaganda through their state-controlled media outlets and social media accounts. Which is why it is crucial for us to be professional and objective in what we are doing, so that our audience and readers are better informed as to what is happening on a real-time basis.

Regarding how the international community can best support Mizzima and the protest movement further, I would first like to say that we are very grateful for the continued financial support from abroad. We thank you for your long-term commitment and financial support to us.

Continued support

I would like to request the international community to continue to provide us with financial, political and material support, assisting the people of Myanmar who continue to struggle for democracy and human rights despite the inhumane and brutal daily suppression meted out by the military regime.

I would also like to request the governments of democracies to sanction the military regime with every possible means and measure so that the junta is starved financially and cannot acquire arms on the international market.

The people in Myanmar will continue to fight against the military junta with whatever means and ways we have. And, finally, to help us in our fight against the junta, I ask that members of the international community who cherish the principles of democracy and human rights desist from supporting the military regime in every possible way.

Soe Myint is founder and Editor-in-Chief of Mizzima Media