BSR | Human Rights Impact Assessment: Facebook in Myanmar 31 Facebook can support more sustained initiatives that promote independent media and fact-checking, such as via the Facebook Journalism Project and Fact Checking Initiative. For example, Facebook’s Fact Checking Initiative only works with fact-checking partners that meet the Poynter Institute’s standards, but no organizations in Myanmar currently meet these standards; Facebook could help local organizations become certified, or at least achieve standards approximating it.71 Immense opportunities also exist to invest in a sustained digital- and media-literacy initiative—beyond communication of the Community Standards—in partnership with civil society organizations, the Ministry of Education, public schools, the monastic school system, and public libraries (e.g., Beyond Access Initiative). One interviewee encouraged Facebook to “explore opportunities to support the sustainable commercialization and development of long-term business models for credible local media organizations.” Another emphasized Facebook’s uniquely positive, high-profile reputation in Myanmar as an asset in promoting more positive and responsible discourse. » Policy, legal, and regulatory reform should be pursued at both the local and the ASEAN regional level. The legal and regulatory framework for the telecommunications and internet sector in Myanmar is inconsistent with international human rights laws and norms. While efforts to reform laws and regulations have been slow going and can be very challenging, it is important that Facebook and other influential companies continue to make their views known and emphasize the importance of reform for the long-term success of Myanmar’s society and economy. Said one interviewee, “Telenor is the only company really focused on data and privacy regulations, and they would benefit from having more allies.” Myanmar’s participation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) organization and the trend toward regulatory harmonization in Southeast Asia suggests that a regional approach to policy influence may reap rewards in the long term. » Relationships with law enforcement agencies should be addressed with both risks and opportunities in mind. As set out in its GNI commitments and the Facebook Transparency Report, it will be important for Facebook to remain vigilant against overbroad requests for user data and content restrictions by law enforcement agencies in Myanmar. At the same time, there are opportunities to partner with law enforcement agencies to address credible threats and tangible harm, such as child exploitation, human trafficking, suicide, and other risks to bodily integrity. While Facebook’s efforts to build these relationships have not been reciprocated by Myanmar’s law enforcement agencies to date, they will remain a key feature of a strategy in Myanmar designed to mitigate human rights risk. » The creation of a thriving digital economy and a culture of trust and security online offers potential to enhance the realization of human rights in Myanmar over the long term. There are opportunities for Facebook to develop new products and services (e.g., the ability to download Apps from Facebook App pages, enabling digital payments, Facebook Marketplace, mobile financial services) with the potential to enhance the human right to a decent standard of living and to better spread economic opportunity. Such initiatives could be taken in support of the Myanmar Government Digital Economy Development Committee’s Masterplan. These opportunities may not be unique to Myanmar and may also be present in other frontier and emerging markets, where high 71 Poynter, accessed September 2018.