Other media monitors reported a range of detained journalists
in February 2025, ranging from 40 to 60.9 However, each
monitor’s list was different and all missed or excluded
individuals that others included.10 Differences were due to
challenges in establishing identities, credentials, and situations,
caused by information blackouts and security concerns. There
were also methodological differences. For example, some
monitors excluded journalists regarded as “pro-military”. ICNL
used international standards definitions and focused on crosscorroboration for verification. For example, the following
table shows that for currently detained journalists, most cases
were corroborated by three or more sources (94%), with slight
differences depending on the stage of each individual’s case.11
Those cases with fewer sources were relatively new cases.
Journalist Detentions
Corroborated by 3+ Sources
Corroborated by 3+ sources
Not corroborated by 3+ sources
Of 7 detained on unknown charges
86%
14%
Of 3 detained on known charges
66%
33%
Of 41 detained and serving sentences
98%
Of 51 detained in total
94%
6%
‘‘
Most other media
monitors reported
fewer detained
journalists in
February 2025,
ranging from 40
to 60. However,
ICNL identified
51 detained
journalists using
international
standards
definitions and
focused on crosscorroboration for
verification.
9 The case database aggregated lists from eight NGOs and CSOs, five INGOs, and one intergovernmental organization.
10 Monitors used different in-house criteria and methodologies, and some used imprecise
definitions. Reliance on professional judgment and personal networks were common. Some
monitors relied heavily on other monitors without cross-corroboration. Security concerns
and information blackouts meant research was very difficult. The inherent risk in these
approaches was that individuals would be excluded or overlooked.
11 Journalists unassociated with specific media outlets, such as freelancers, stringers, or
“citizen journalists” were harder to cross-corroborate, presumably because without an
employer or colleagues they had fewer support networks. The label “citizen journalist” is used
by some to describe journalists working inside Myanmar who were not journalists before the
coup began, or who have not received significant formal journalism training, or who are not
working under a formal contract to one media outlet.
Assessing Detentions of Journalists in Myanmar, Feb. 2021 to Feb. 2025
6