Suppressing political dissent The military has intensified its disinformation efforts to silence critics and consolidate power. By invoking vaguely defined “fake news” laws under Penal Code 505A, authorities have framed political activists, journalists, and human rights defenders as criminals or foreign agents. 5 False accusations of “terrorism” have led to mass arrests and political executions, including the 2022 execution of four political prisoners. They have also forced many journalists and activists into exile.6 This systematic suppression has created one of the most restricted media environments in the region. Undermining democratic processes Disinformation is also used to delegitimise democratic institutions. The military’s unfounded claims of widespread electoral fraud in the 2020 elections, despite a lack of credible evidence, have been repeated until they gained traction among small but authoritarian segments of society. This persistent narrative erodes public trust in electoral integrity and discourages meaningful democratic participation, leaving citizens feeling disengaged and powerless. Manipulating long-term social perceptions Beyond immediate political gains, disinformation moulds long-term societal attitudes. Ethnic and religious minorities, particularly the Rohingya, are persistently depicted as outsiders or security threats, reinforcing structural discrimination by denying rights such as citizenship, land, and education.7 Additionally, targeted false narratives, many of them sexual, against women undermine their leadership and discourage their participation in public life, entrenching patriarchal norms and long-term inequities.8 Economic and humanitarian harm False claims about international organisations and domestic civil society as tools of Western interference have led to restrictions on humanitarian aid in conflict zones, worsening food insecurity and limiting medical care. Moreover, economic disinformation about currency policies and sabotage has spurred panic-driven financial decisions, deepening the nation’s economic crisis and leaving workers, especially in informal sectors, increasingly vulnerable. The harm caused by disinformation countermeasures Efforts to combat disinformation must be carefully designed to avoid infringing on fundamental rights. Rather than addressing the harms of disinformation, policies can reinforce State propaganda and deepen human rights violations in several ways. Free Expression Myanmar (2022), “505A Act of revenge”. Human Rights Myanmar (2024), “Human rights violations experienced by exiled journalists”. 7 Human Rights Myanmar (2024), “Myanmar’s militarisation of education”. 8 Human Rights Myanmar (2024), “Gendered impact of the Myanmar coup on free expression”. 5 6