Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that upholds individual opinions, thoughts, beliefs, and the right to access information.1 Since the military coup in February 2021, the military regime has imposed strict controls on freedom of expression and the right to information.2 This regime has arbitrarily punished journalists and artists for voicing their opinions and beliefs.
According to the “Global Freedom Index” published by Freedom House, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., Myanmar is classified as “not a free nation.”3 The country has received a score of only 7 out of 100 for fundamental freedoms and 9 points for internet freedom. Additionally, the 2023 Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders ranked Myanmar 173rd out of 180 countries.
The preparation of the questionnaires considers how extreme digital restrictions, displacement, and multiple administrative systems have affected freedom of expression in Myanmar. The survey is organized into four main parts: (1) fundamental rights and safety, (2) digital and online spaces, (3) access to media and diversity, and (4) self-censorship. These categories assess the impact on the freedom of expression experienced by the people of Myanmar across various dimensions.