Female reporter in Rakhine was sexually threatened
and calls on AA to take action
A female field reporter from Salween Khet News, Khin Tharaphi Oo, was allegedly
subjected to online sexual harassment, verbal abuse, and threats of physical violence by
the owner of a Facebook account following a disagreement over a news-related social
media post. According to the news outlet, the harassment escalated from a public exchange
in a Facebook comment section to sexually abusive messages sent through Messenger,
followed by public posts targeting the reporter and threatening her safety. In response,
Salween Khet News issued a public condemnation, describing the conduct as a criminal
act rather than legitimate criticism of a journalist’s work, and formally requested the United
League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) to investigate the case and take legal action against
the alleged perpetrator.
The incident highlights the growing security challenges faced by independent journalists in Myanmar, particularly women reporters working in conflict-affected areas. It demonstrates how online platforms are increasingly being used to intimidate journalists through
gender-based harassment that extends beyond professional criticism to include sexual threats
and personal intimidation. The case also reflects the expanding governance role of the ULA/
AA in Rakhine State, where media organisations and local communities increasingly rely on its
administrative and judicial mechanisms instead of Myanmar’s military-controlled institutions.
Update on Journalism and Media Safety in Myanmar
14
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