Myanmar's Media, Reporting Under Fire: As
#MyanmarCoup
crisis deepens, independent media, accurate reporting (& courage) more essential than ever. Tune in (or come) to this benefit night
@FCCThai
, March 11, 7pm (& streaming
@FCCThai
FB & YouTube)
The
@UN
in Myanmar is horrified by the needless loss of life today with reports of dozens of people shot dead by the military across the country. The violence is completely unacceptable & must stop immediately. Those responsible must be held to account.
➡️
Powerful graphic. This is what
#MyanmarJunta
characterizes as "crowd control" or "anti-terrorism" measures, while hundreds of murders and summary executions are "sad but unavoidable" deaths.
Nearly 90% of people killed by Myanmar junta forces since the coup have been shot dead and more than a quarter shot in the head - raising suspicions of intentional targeting. Grim graphic by
@walone4
and
@AditiHBhandari
that draws on
@aapp_burma
data.
#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
As Indon FM Marsudi scheduled to hold talks with Thais in Bkk - & 2 planes from Myanmar were scheduled to land in Don Muang today, perhaps talks cd happen in Bkk .. then again, rumor mill working overtime
Indonesia's foreign minister has now cancelled her trip to Myanmar - which some critics had said would mark recognition of the junta that seized power on Feb. 1
#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
Two journalists from the Myitkyina News Journal were abducted by Terrorists (
#Myanmar
security forces) last night. The two abducted journalists are Ajax and Christopher.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
#Apr15Coup
#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
Myanmar lurches into the abyss: tragedy cloaks bloodstained victory for
#CDM
- Min Aung Hlaing ‘stiletto coup’ has failed,
#MyanmarJunta
cannot control the country & economy is collapsing. No way back. Our latest
@NikkeiAsia
:
"Before we go dark..." before long we won't be able to read things like this: powerful appeal by three Myanmar women in (the excellent) Frontier Myanmar for international attention to
#Myanmarcoup
A new horrific low in Myanmar as
#MyanmarJunta
incinerated an entire village on Tuesday night in Pauk, central Magway area, reducing it to ashes. Some elderly burned to death. Follows a protest march in the village on Sunday. Evokes nightmare images of Vietnam War era.
Pauk, June 16
Around 250 number of people's houses in Kinma village, Pauk Township were set on fire by Myanmar fascist army on June 15 evening. Kinma village have a population of 1,000 people and nearly all the houses are burned to ash.
#June16Coup
#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
Another commendable international move that will hurt
#MyanmarJunta
: German company G&D suspends deal to supply Myanmar's bank-note printing system: Junta can always use regular paper with regular printing ink but it will take time to substitute - & deals another humiliation.
Following increasing pressure by activists, the German firm Giesecke & Devrient suspends its business deals with
#Myanmar
's banknote printer, which is controlled by the military junta.
#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
@JusticeMyanmar
Statements that UK is “appalled” (again, & again, & again) are not scaring
#Myanmarjunta
one bit - nor giving any comfort to
#CDM
supporters who are taking matters into their hands. Try more action (& buy a thesaurus)
"The British Government is appalled by the security forces' use of deadly force against innocent people". Statement from the British Ambassador following violence in Hlaing Thar Yar and elsewhere in
#Myanmar
today.
#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
While Thailand’s leaders flip-flop over responses to Covid-19, Thanathorn, leader of the new Progressive Movement, has clear & meaningful proposals - and insights into ‘lockdown life’ in Bangkok,
@FCCThai
The Bulletin
Creativity & humor in pushback against
#Myanmarcoup
are the not-so-secret weapons of a vibrant & angry CDM protest movement, superb (& visually striking) piece by
@thinink
#Myanmarjunta
hires int. firm for most laughably sinister lobbying job in the world: you can always find people to do nastiest jobs for ‘large amounts of money’ (in this case whose $ is it anyway?)
Tempo of international diplomacy around Myanmar stepping up, next challenge for ASEAN is to decide special envoy to liaise with
#MyanmarJunta
. And what did UN special envoy discuss with
#MinAungHlaing
? Latest devpts in
@NikkeiAsia
In Syria, where an intense civil war has killed over 500k people, 41 days passed between the first protester being shot dead and the 500th person being killed
In Myanmar, that happened Yesterday, 42 days after the first protester shot on the streets died.
#WhatsHappeninglnMyanmar
ThIs is the kind of move that CAN hurt
#MyanmarJunta
, bravo to Singapore’s Coda for principled stand; but how about more SG companies, especially the banks?
Sg payments firm Coda says it had removed Tatmadaw-owned Mytel from its payment channels. Mytel customers can no longer pay via Coda’s services.
#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
It took bans on five news outlets and the arrest of 53 reporters, but Myanmar’s military junta finally allowed a CNN journalist into the country to report on the aftermath of its Feb. 1 coup Wednesday.
Photos:
@RFABurmese
/Myo Min Soe/Citizen Journalists/
@AP
Japan, often accused of excessive caution, has quietly struck two big blows to
#MyanmarJunta
: suspending biggest bilateral aid program, & signing defense chiefs’ condemnation of
#MyanmarCoup
Incredible scenes at UN:
#Myanmar
perm rep to UN Kyaw Moe Tun is denouncing the military's coup in Myanmar, says it's unconstitutional and that
@CrphMyanmar
- collection of elected MPS - is legitimate. Video here:
#Myanmarcoup
So many moving parts of
#MyanmarCoup
on Tuesday, from crackdown on
#Myanmarmedia
& military's sadistic violence against unarmed protestors to diplomatic rebellion & absurd case against
#SeanTurnell
. We try to draw some together
@NikkeiAsia
Police have been filmed violently beating a protester in one of many social media videos documenting a violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Myanmar.
#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
Make or break year for Myanmar, excellent speaker lineup (inc a couple of special guests) for a discussion to mark 2nd anniversary of
#MyanmarCoup
, in-house & FB Live, Feb 1 in Bkk, 7pm
@FCCThai
- all welcome
In comprehensive review of Myanmar data, World Bank nearly doubles earlier estimate for economic contraction to 18% for the year to Sept 30, though others forecast worse declines. Proves that
#MyanmarCoup
has failed miserably on almost every front.
No it’s not Gaza & it’s not Israeli rockets - it’s downtown Yangon; all the while, destruction, killing & torture by
#MyanmarJunta
around the country is getting worse.
You really cannot make this stuff up, least of all the man in question, 'lobbyist' Ari Ben-Menashe. Great interview by
@simondlewis
. And Wikipedia entry is distastefully compelling reading:
Myanmar's generals aim to tell the West they want to leave power, don't want to be China's puppets and seek the repatriation of the Rohingya (or 'Bengalis' as they call them), their lobbyist says incredible story by
@Simondlewis
#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
Of all international reaction to
#MyanmarCoup
this hurts
#MyanmarJunta
the most: Defense chiefs of 12 countries inc Japan & South Korea, condemn violence angst unarmed civilians.
@NikkeiAsia
"Of all international condemnation of
#Myanmar
military since Feb. 1 coup, Sunday's statement by 12 defense chiefs esp Japan & S Korea (only Asians to join) hurt Gen Min Aung Hlaing most";
@NikkeiAsia
examines dynamics behind the move & events since then
If anyone wonders whether
#MyanmarJunta
will heed ASEAN’s five-point plan including undertaking to halt violence, just read this, internal memo calls for ‘annihilation” of protestors.,great reporting by
@IrrawaddyNews
Political momentum in Thailand is on the streets but Future Forward party & leader Thanathorn led the way: join authors of new book on rise & fall of FFP Duncan McCargo & Anyarat Chattharakul, & Chris Baker & Pitch Pongsawat
@FCCThai
Nov 16, or watch on FB
Congratulations to
@Shoon_Naing
&
@poppymcp
& entire Reuters team, inc.
@TostevinM
,
@soezeya
&
@panuw
for brilliant reporting, editing, visuals & great courage in focusing spotlight on
#MyanmarCoup
; media coverage more crucial than ever as darkness descends. Keep the window open!
Huge congratulations to the indefatigable, brave & brilliant
@Shoon_Naing
.
I’m also stepping into a new role as a special correspondent for SE Asia. I’ll still be primarily covering Myanmar, with a focus on enterprise and investigative stories about the coup & its aftermath.
While unarmed civilians stand up to combat troops on the streets, they are already winning in efforts to cripple economy & deny
#MyanmarJunta
total control.. bravo
#MyanmarCDM
Striking truck drivers, bureaucrats and bank workers have brought international trade through Yangon’s ports to a standstill, with exports estimated to be down as much as 90 percent since February 1.
#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
How
#MyanmarCoup
is reshaping a generation. Brilliant piece by
@thinink
: "Injustice is now at our door because we ignored it when it was knocking on someone else's door...."
Rare spotlight on relatively unknown side of
#MyanmarCoup
: junta's hijacking of Central Bank of Myanmar & currency reserves, & detention of Australian advisor Sean Turnell & central bankers. Important piece
@NikkeiAsia
by
@WilliamPesek
Mass arrests in Myanmar today make complete mockery of ASEAN’s & UN’s calls for restraint: people being loaded into trucks like animals, no one knows where they’re being taken ..
Powerful piece by two top Thai studies experts, "right to bail" is guaranteed under Thai law, but no rights hold under lese majeste charges. No wonder Thai PM didn't want to go to Jakarta to lecture Myanmar coup leader about rights violations...
There is no global index of savagery as far as I know but this thread on shocking (& brilliant) investigation by
@RadioFreeAsia
shows
#MyanmarJunta
troops go beyond evil. When will the world do something about atrocities happening every day in Myanmar?
Content Warning: Violence/Death/Torture
“I had to cut off the head, bro”
🧵 Images obtained by RFA from the phone of a junta soldier appear to show evidence of military atrocities in Myanmar’s
#Sagaing
region.
It's not about any particular party or individual: Why the world should recognize Myanmar's National Unity Government (NOW): by Fuadi Pitsuwan and Kyaw Hsaw Hlaing
To get this straight - this is suspension of ‘cash distribution’ to stakeholders of ONE gas pipeline co . MGTC (which carries gas from Yadana field), of which MOGE holds 15% (Total, Chevron & PTTEP hold the rest). This is good start but small (est. $41m to MOGE in 2017/18)
🇲🇲 In light of the context in
#Myanmar
, and following a joint proposal by
@Total
&
@Chevron
, shareholders of MGTC vote to suspend all cash distributions. Total condemns the violence and human rights abuses occurring in Myanmar.
For those who missed this crucial moment at UN Special session on Myanmar tonight watch this brave man, Myanmar’s ambassador to UN Kyaw Moe Tun denounce
#Myanmarcoup
Well said that man - Powerful, emotional and brave speech just now from Myanmar's Ambassador to the UN at UN Special Session on the military coup, strongly denouncing it and sending three finger salute to people in
#Myanmar
. Brave man - should be applauded and backed worldwide.
Thai PM's withdrawal from ASEAN's April 24 summit complicates frantic backroom scrambles to rescue this fraught meeting; Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing says he'll only join online but has insisted
#MyanmarCrisis
is NOT the focus. ASEAN is having existential crisis
People attend the funeral of Chit Min Thu, who died in an anti-coup protest in North Dagon Township, in Yangon, Myanmar, March 11, 2021. REUTERS
#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
Another step by
#Myanmarjunta
to drive the country towards economic implosion- SAC to force private banks to reopen or else face mandatory transfer of deposits to three state-owned banks
Myanmar's media (including handful of foreign journalists inside): the only window left into
#Myanmarcoup
- international news orgs are relying on the footage & reports they are sending out. Support them in any way you can.
#Myanmarpressfreedom
UN didn’t have problems recognizing Khmer Rouge-linked alliance as Cambodian govt in exile in 1979.. now it’s time to make good on expressions of “profound concern” & recognize legitimate govt of Myanmar..
Interesting move. Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw composed of elected NLD MPs appointed Dr. Sasa to represent Myanmar at the UN. Will the UN acknowledge the representative from the elected government instead of the junta?
Following brave denunciation of
#Myanmarcoup
by police major, highest ranking officer so far to speak out against coup, is there hope more will follow? “If they send me to jail, so be it...I want to tell my fellow officers to do what you believe is right,”
Move by Singapore's UOB to restrict Myanmar accounts & intermediary role with Myanmar banks is thin end of very sharp wedge: indicates massive shift on the part of Singapore: an off-shore finance hub for
#MyanmarJunta
and state enterprises such as MOGE.
Myint Thu's resignation as Myanmar's UN ambassador (bravo) should serve as inspiration for Myanmar's 'new breed' diplomats -- & there are many principled ones, reflecting ASSK's push as foreign minister to promote on merit, encourage women and sideline crusty old military men
These brave journalists are our increasingly bloodstained window on
#MyanmarCoup
- please support
#MyanmarMedia
in whatever way you can ... if in BKK
@FCCThai
has a donation box. Details on request
Another move by
#MyanmarJunta
to take the country back to dark ages: this Central Bank of Myanmar order last night requires banks to convert dollar deposits into local kyat currency within a day - status of corporate accounts unclear but message unmistakable: junta is desperate.
Mindat, one of the poorest towns in Myanmar's poorest state (Chin) is being annihilated. Any male over 13 a target for arrest & torture. Behind it is
#MyanmarJunta
chief who assured ASEAN leaders three weeks ago he would halt violence. Proving its impotence, ASEAN still pfaffing
Savage assault by Myanmar military on civilian population in Mindat town, using helicopter gunships, artillery. Many locals resisting regime since the coup, with basic hunting rifles—killing soldiers and capturing weapons. Embarrassed, military is deploying overwhelming force.
Amid spiralling savagery by
#MyanmarJunta
against civilians & looming economic collapse, multimillion-dollar gem & jade auctions in Naypyitaw highlight emerging "two-track" economy, with military & elites expanding control of shadowy business sector
Myanmar military’s occupation of public hospitals by force is a ‘violation of international law – which further undermines a health care system already embattled by the COVID-19 pandemic and coup’: Physicians for Human Rights
#Myanmarcoup
Powerful and impressively sourced report
@nytimes
about intensifying conflagration in Myanmar, & military’s growing desperation. Great graphics, satellite imagery, expert views & eyewitness accounts. Anyone who cares should read this
Like some B-grade Hollywood war movie gone terribly wrong: Soldiers in full combat gear prepare to round up & terrorise - errr, cowering, unarmed civilians inc. grannies & children. No doubt they feel like big, brave men here but what do they tell their own kids about their work?
Perhaps first thing
#ASEAN
should do is abandon plan to mediate proposal for new elections in Myanmar... who in right mind would trust
#MyanmarJunta
to hold a 'free and fair' election, especially after they annihilate
#NLD
?
What's next for
#ASEAN
diplomacy as bloc races to set up meeting to discuss
#MyanmarCoup
? "We have to accept the fact that the age of quiet diplomacy is over in the age of social media,"said Dr Noeleen Heyzer. People want Asean to be more transparent
Today marks one year exactly since Australian economist Sean Turnell was arrested in Yangon by
#MyanmarJunta
. Powerful piece by
@ABCaustralia
quotes
@DebbieStot
on Canberra’s ‘scandalous’ silence on the case
On World Press Freedom Day: tribute to courageous journalists of Myanmar. Powerful story
@NikkeiAsia
of
@MizzimaNews
co-founders Thin Thin Aung (detained w/2 others) & Soe Myint; 42 Mizzima journalists in hiding in Myanmar & 34 outside, all working. BRAVO
Very welcome pushback from
@Telenor_mm
on
#myanmarJunta
’s efforts to tighten grip on internet access. After writing off $780m Myanmar business, maybe Telenor feels liberated
.
@Telenor_mm
warns: “a whitelisting approach on mobile data may lead to the propagation of a highly restrictive type of
#internet
” that will hurt access, business & economy.
It calls for
#Myanmar
’s immediate full restoration of internet services.
Link:
Road to international 'engagement' with
#MyanmarJunta
is littered with special envoys... now,
@Menlu_RI
has taken on the challenge of breaking through. All best to Indonesia in its role as ASEAN chair for 2023.
#Myanmar
:
@mbachelet
fears the situation is heading towards a full-blown conflict. She urges States to urgently apply concerted pressure on the military to halt the commission of grave human rights violations and possible crimes against humanity.
👉
Having condemned
#MyanmarJunta
in strongest terms , it seems disingenuous at best for UK to “accept” its dismissal of Myanmar’s legitimate ambassador.
@DominicRaab
it’s time to sort out increasingly embarrassing foreign policy.
UN Special Envoy Noeleen Heyzer goes to Naypyitaw today after months of negotiation with
#MyanmarJunta
- can she avoid a ‘weaponized’ photo opp pasted all over state propaganda rags & more important, another set of meaningless promises..
Powerful piece on savage destruction of Myanmar’s indie media & detention of journalists: “Whether imprisoned, in hiding or leading double lives, the press in Myanmar is under no illusions: Media here will die if they keep ruling.”
Both Myanmar’s perm rep to UN & UN special envoy to Myanmar denounce
#Myanmarcouo
& the junta This has to be a turning point in international attitudes t
Incredible scenes at UN:
#Myanmar
perm rep to UN Kyaw Moe Tun is denouncing the military's coup in Myanmar, says it's unconstitutional and that
@CrphMyanmar
- collection of elected MPS - is legitimate. Video here:
#Myanmarcoup
Marking World Press Freedom Day, great interviews with brave Myanmar journalists by
@RadioFreeAsia
(which also deserves huge accolades for outstanding coverage of media issues in the region). Support
#MyanmarMedia
A must-read:
How does a country that has suffered catastrophic plunge in growth amid savage war on its own people afford to spend $1bn (& more) on weapons in 2 years? Myanmar defense now at 28% of total budget. UN report reveals trail through 5 countries
@NikkeiAsia
Due to coverage of the violent police crackdown on anti-military coup rallies, five journalists were arrested today. As of news reports, about 15 journalists were arrested since the day of the coup. Some have been released and others remain in detention.
#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
Perhaps it’s time for Canberra to take its objection over
#MyanmarJunta
’s outrageous sentencing of Dr Sean Turnell to a higher level - start by cutting off ALL security assistance inc. Myanmar police, withdraw military attaché immediately & cease all non-essential contact: NOW
New phase in Myanmar’s economic implosion- currency going wobbly, though v mixed trajectory for food prices: rice price barely changed in Ygn, soaring elsewhere
Why is Ukraine awash in Western-supplied arms & aid while Myanmar's resistance struggles alone? Among key reasons, "Ukraine has the advantage of a courageous, charismatic leader who has won respect of the international community." Erin Murphy
@NikkeiAsia
Two months after
#MyanmarCoup
: urban violence, conflict in ethnic areas, CRPH declaration of 'unity govt' & federal charter, rejection of 2008 constitution,
#MyanmarJunta
atrocities, suggest lethal new phase, UN envoy calls it "civil war"
@NikkeiAsia
Responding to popular petition, South Korean govt slaps
#MyanmarJunta
in face w. strong call for restoration of democracy & international engagement with NUG. Koreans had decades under (Japanese) occupation & brutal martial law. They know what it’s like
Wake-up call for Tokyo: "Japan's policies [on Myanmar] derive from the tenuous assumption that the military regime... can continue to hold power - an assessment that belies the country's military and political reality." Sharp piece by
@ZachAbuza