This creates a cycle of exclusion where the platforms collect advertising revenue on content produced at high risk by the Myanmar media, yet keep 100% of the profit. One editor stated: “The platforms actively discriminate against us.” Another added that, “monetisation denial is just another form of censorship.” 5.2. Over-moderation leads to demonetisation Another barrier to monetisation is the sanctions regime used by platforms’ content moderation systems. Most systems incrementally deny monetisation for every act of moderation. One piece of deleted content may not affect monetisation, but two or three deletions can lead to complete demonetisation for long periods of time. 15% of those media not monetising reported being barred from revenue programmes due to such sanctions. One editor noted: “We are constantly flagged by the platform’s content moderation system, our content deleted, and our account demonetised, despite being a wellrespected media outlet.” This leads to a “Sword of Damocles” effect where media survival depends on not triggering a black box content moderation algorithm. According to the media, platforms also frequently flag political news as sensitive or non-monetisable. This creates a perverse incentive structure that punishes the public interest mission of journalism. As one journalist noted: “We find it the hardest to monetise political news, which during the election is basically all of it.” This forces media into an impossible choice to fulfil their democratic duty to report on the election, or to sanitise their reporting to satisfy their need for sustainability. 6. Technology-facilitated gender-based violence Women journalists faced a double burden of professional and gendered attacks. During the election cycle, 88% of women reported experiencing discrimination and intimidation compared to 81% of men. Furthermore, 77% of women reported experiencing specific technology-facilitated gender-based violence online. 33% reported that attacks utilised stigmatising language regarding their personal life and family. This includes the use of deepfake imagery to tarnish credibility. One woman shared: “They don't just attack my reporting; they attack my character and my body.” Another stated: “They post my photos on pro-military channels with disgusting captions to shame my family and me.” Page 17 of 19