7. Changes in public sentiment toward news This report has examined the direction, scale, and nuances of changes to media information flows on Facebook after the coup. The rise of emoji “reactions”, seen globally but especially in Myanmar, because more overt forms of dissent have been criminalised, offers a more detailed understanding of audience opinion. This section analyses how these shifts in public sentiment reflect views of the media, its coverage, and the coup. Proportion of reactions on media posts 10 2021 2026 20 30 Love 32% Love 25% 40 Wow 7% Wow 5% 50 Sad 11% Sad 21% 60 70 80 Angry 3% Haha 46% Angry 8% Haha 41% 90 100 Key: Most positive reaction Most negative reaction . 7.1. Supporting trusted media with “Love” reactions A shift in “Love” Reactions towards the independent media shows increased affection, appreciation, emotional resonance, and trust. Before the coup, independent media captured 58% of all Love reactions. By 2026, this rose to 78% of all Love reactions. Local-level reporting contributed significantly to this shift, with Love Reactions increasing by +1,901%. Conversely, military-affiliated media saw their proportion of Love reactions halve, dropping from 42% to 22%. This shows increased desire to exercise the right to form an opinion without interference, and greater recognition of the legitimacy of non-State actors. The shift in Love reactions also highlights a change in public sentiment toward political engagement. Before the coup, the highest proportion of Love reactions (57%) was given to entertainment channels with pro-military leanings. By 2026, most were directed at outlets with an anti-military editorial stance (66%). Growth in Love reactions for partisan media rose by +139% compared to +74% for impartial outlets. This demonstrates a shift toward a more serious sentiment when exercising the right to access information, reflecting the gravity of the coup on people’s lives. Page 21 of 24