victions and the sentences are inconsistent and politically oriented rather than a process based
on fair legal procedures.
The charges listed in the table can be categorised into five primary legal weapons used
against journalists in Myanmar.
Counter-terrorism law is the most frequently charged lawsuit that we documented in 15
out of 17 cases; utilising section 50 (a), 50 (j), 51(c),52 (a), 52 (b), and 54. This lawsuit’s
primary legal intent is to criminalise reporting as support ingterrorism.
Section 505A is the most common tool used to oppress free speech and notoriously
broad to criminalise the publication of any content that causes fear or spreads false news.
Section 124A is also known as high treason/ sedition which is also historically used to
suppress political dissent. By chargingjournalists under this, the junta regime frames
reporting to the level of an existential threat against the government.
Section 66(d) is telecommunications law which has also been weaponised to target
online speech and social media posts, punishing digital content as defamation or
harassment.
Section 27 Disaster Management law is not a usual application in media context but it
has also been used to prosecute journalists for reporting on events the regime deems
sensitive under the guise of public safety or crisis management.
Update on Journalism and Media Safety in Myanmar
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