Reporting from the Darkness: Journalism and Media in Myanmar 2023 Q4 and Annual Report Perspective: 2023 and the situation since 2021 Through 2023, 13 journalists and news workers were arrested in Myanmar. Nearly 93 percent of these journalists were men. Majority, or 73 percent, were reporters and photojournalists, followed by 13 percent who were editors and another 13 percent who were publishers or cofounders. A total of 17 journalists were released during the year, typically in amnesties announced by the SAC during public holidays like Thingyan or the Myanmar new year, Independence Day and Buddhist holidays and festivals. At yearend, 64 journalists and news workers – 82% of whom are male – remained in detention or were serving prison sentences. At the end of 2023, the longest-detained journalist is Han Thar Nyein, co-founder of Kamayut Media, who was arrested with editor-in-chief Nathan Maung about a month after the coup, on 9 March 2021. Han Thar Nyein has now spent more than 1,000 days in prison. The two journalists were arrested after eight truckloads of security forces raided the Kamayut Media office and searched the premises for two hours. Nathan Maung is serving a combined sentence of seven years. Five years are for violating Section 33 (A) of the Electronic Transactions Law, which "criminalises receiving, sending or distributing electronic information which harms national security, community peace, solidarity, the economy or culture", and two years are for violating Section 505A of the Myanmar Penal Code, which punishes the dissemination of "false news" against the junta. Since the coup, 202 journalists and news persons have been arrested, 67 convicted and 138 released. Six journalists have died, as of end-2023. This number comprises Soe Naing, who died in military custody in December 2021, two – A Sai Kay and Pu Tuidim – who were killed in military attacks and incidents around armed conflict, and three others who are believed to be associated with pro-military supporters. These three journalists are Than Tun Aung and Khin Maung Oo in Kachin, and Min Thu Hlaing in Karen state, all of whom are reported to have been killed by unidentified armed groups in 2023. 8