2.3. Prosecuting Targeted Media Agencies as a Form of Repression on Press Freedom Myanmar Police Force accused Irrawaddy News agency of breaking Section 505(A) before the court on 10th March. The case was reportedly grounded on publishing a news article about “130 Lakhs demanded to let 70 arrested surgeons free.”1 2.4. Raids for Wanted Journalists and News Media Offices In the afternoon before the public announcement of revoking media licenses on 8th March, the military forces raided the Myanmar Now office, confiscating documents found in the office. Hence the office was closed a few days earlier; any journalism professionals were not arrested in the incident. On 9th March, the police and military forces raided Mizzima and Kamayut Media agencies destroying the journalism and office equipment. The chief editor Nay Than Maung, an American citizen, and Han Thar Nyein, a co-founder, were arrested. On the same day, the Hakha Post office, based on the capital Hakha of Chin state, was raided, and confiscated the properties. While the chief editor and other journalists from Tarchilake News Agency were hiding in a safe place on the same day, the office and their residences were raided. On the morning of 21st April, SAC forces raid the Monywa Gazette news agency office and the residence of its CEO. The printed circulations of the Monywa Gazette were suspended at the end of February while its online publications have to stop on 21st April. The Myaylatt Athan (the voice of central Myanmar) office was raided twice: the first raid on 5th March and one more time on 26th August. On 5th May, Lashio based Shwephimyay News agency from northern Shan State was raided. The group of police and military forces raids Thanlwin Times news agency office in Mawlamyine, the capital of Mon State, at midnight on 25th June. They interrogated the landowner who rented the residence for the office place. The office location of the Ayeyarwady Times news agency, based in Pathein, was investigated, and its landowner was inspected and pressured. When the chief editor and editor in charge found that they were on the list to be arrested and prosecuted, they had to shut down the office, moving to safe places. SAC also raided the Yangon-based Irrawaddy News office twice on 14th and 15th October. Based in Rakhine State, Western News reported that SAC forces investigated their office on 19th November. 1 A news article published on 28th February on Irrawaddy News Online. Repeated Dark Age of News Media 9