Update on Journalism and Media in Myanmar July - September 2023 Note: The 9 convictions were among 6 journalists. Among these, one was convicted under 4 charges - violating Sections 505A and 124A of the Penal Code, Section 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law and Section 27 of the Natural Disaster Management Law. Combined prison sentences of journalists (2023) Length of sentences Number of convicted journalists 0-3 years 3 4-10 years 1 11-15 years 1 15-20 years 1 Attacks on Journalists A former journalist, Than Tun Aung, was shot dead by an unidentified person in Mohnyin city in Kachin state, on 4 September. An online news outlet called Eternally Peace News Network, based in the state capital of Myitkina, posted on Facebook that he was shot four times in the head while he was on a motorcycle with his wife riding pillion. “We are told that [Ko] Than Tun Aung was shot, we don’t know who shot him or what the actual situation is as well,” read the post, quoting a friend of Than Tun Aung. A journalist for Red News Agency, Tar Lin Maung, was injured after a sports utility vehicle hit his motorcycle from behind in Hpakant, northern Kachin State, on 8 September. In a statement it posted on Facebook along with photos of the incident and the SUV, Red News Agency said it “strongly condemned” any group or individual behind the shooting, but but did not name names. A former journalist with the Information and Public Relations Department under the Ministry of Information, Tar Lin Maung joined the Civil Disobedience Movement after the coup. The SAC issued a warrant of arrest for him, for incitement. Deteriorating News Environment in Rakhine Tensions have been growing in Rakhine, where locals and other observers are bracing for the possible resurgence of open conflict between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army. While an informal ceasefire has been in place between them since November 2022, more 6