IPCM Statement on the Targeted Persecution of Media Professionals
May 3, 2026 — World Press Freedom Day
“On this World Press Freedom Day, the Independent Press Council Myanmar (IPCM) calls urgent attention to the catastrophic decline of media safety in the five years following the 2021 military coup. During this period, nearly 200 media professionals have been arrested. As of May 3, 2026, 18 media professionals remain behind bars in various prisons across the country, including three women.”
The severity of the judicial crackdown is reflected in the harsh sentencing of those currently held. Thirteen journalists are serving long-term prison sentences, with the most extreme cases resulting in life imprisonment or terms of 20 years. Other sentences range from eight years down to a minimum of three to five years.
Most tragically, the junta’s campaign of violence has resulted in the deaths of seven media professionals since February 2021. These individuals were killed as a direct result of arrest, torture, or extrajudicial execution while actively performing their journalistic duties.
To facilitate this crackdown, the military junta has weaponized the legal system, prosecuting nearly 200 journalists under a range of restrictive statutes. These include Sections 505(a), 505(b), and 124(a) of the Penal Code, Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act, and Section 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law. Additionally, the regime has utilized the News Media Law, the Export and Import Law, the Explosive Substances Act, and the Natural Disaster Management Law to silence dissent. The Counter-Terrorism Law, alongside Section 505, remains the most frequently used tool for the arbitrary detention of press members.
Beyond individual arrests, the regime has systematically targeted media infrastructure. Between January and April 2026 alone, the junta revoked the licenses of four independent media outlets, bringing the total number of revoked licenses to 19 since the coup began. This institutional suppression is compounded by the regime’s unilateral amendments to media-related laws, which are designed to further criminalize the profession and ensure that independent outlets cannot operate under the fundamental principles of a free press.
The IPCM emphasizes that the survival of independent media is not merely an industry concern but a vital necessity for the future establishment of a federal democratic union. The current environment has rendered Myanmar one of the most dangerous nations in the world for journalists. We call upon all international and domestic organizations to prioritize the protection of media workers, advocate for the immediate release of those unjustly detained, and demand full accountability for the torture and killing of media professionals.
Independent Press Council Myanmar (IPCM)
Media Contacts:
Ko Ko Zaw – Chairman (Signal: +95 925 580 3262)
Toe Zaw Latt – Secretary (Signal: +66 80 683 4240)