Media Freedom Coalition statement on media freedom and the safety of journalists in Myanmar

The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition express their deepconcern with the military regime’s harassment and violent attacks against the peopleof Myanmar, including journalists and media workers.

Since the military coup on February 1, 2021, the Myanmar regime’s security forcescontinue to undermine media freedom and violate and abuse the human rights ofjournalists in the country. Regime authorities have revoked the operating licenses ofindependent news outlets, banned the use of satellite dishes and instituted a series ofpartial and complete Internet shutdowns, including blocking social media sites.
Authorities have also arbitrarily detained over 100 journalists, with dozens still indetention. There have been multiple reports of torture and abuse. At least threejournalists have been killed, including an individual who died in detention and anotherperson who is reported to have been summarily executed by the military after being usedas a human shield.

We underline once again our condemnation of the targeting, threatening, detention,
torturing and killing of journalists and media workers. We call on the Myanmar militaryregime to immediately cease violence, release all those unjustly detained, allowunhindered humanitarian access, and end its obstruction of the right of people inMyanmar to freedom of expression, both online and offline, which includes the freedomto seek, receive and impart information

Media freedom is vital to the effective functioning of free and open societies and isessential to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Journalists need asafe environment in which to do their work.

Co-signatures: