Orchestrated transition and license revocations of six media outlets Within a month of its establishment, the new administration of former military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing proclaimed itself an elected civilian government by releasing over 4,000 prisoners to coincide with the April 17 Myanmar New Year. Among those pardoned was the deposed democratically elected President, U Win Myint, alongside prominent activists, and student leaders. Among those, only one journalist was included in the release which is Shin Daewi, documentary film maker. The regime also announced that Aung San Suu Kyi’s 27-year sentence had been reduced to 18 years and that she was being transferred from prison to house arrest. Kim Aeris (Aung San Suu Kyi’s son) has been leading a global campaign called for “Proof of life” to provide proof of her alive. Within a month of its establishment, the new administration of former military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing proclaimed itself an elected civilian government by releasing over 4,000 prisoners to coincide with the April 17 Myanmar New Year. Among those, only one journalist was included in the release which is Shin Daewi, documentary film maker. However, the military continues to rely on emergency ordinances and martial law to maintain strict control across 60 townships in regions including Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Shan, Rakhine, Sagaing, Magway, and Mandalay. The list of offences that can be tried by a military court (in places under martial law) still includes the News Media Law and the Printing and Publishing Enterprise Law. Consequently, it increases the risk that citizen journalists and journalists from certain regions could be arrested and put on trial in a military court without access to legal representation for engaging in journalistic activities. Update on Journalism and Media Safety in Myanmar 8