penalty and life imprisonment related to election were killed in an airstrike. This happened prior to reporting, we had to be even more cautious the election. Rather than being a risk from reporting than usual. itself, it occurred in a border-like area that is not fully under control by either the SAC or resistance Safety procedures were necessary both in liberated forces. These are areas where phone connectivity areas and elsewhere. When we report on elections, is available, and while they were working, an air- different armed groups and other stakeholders strike took place and both lost their lives. may have different concerns or opposing views, which could create risks or misunderstandings. In SAC-controlled areas, we did not experience Therefore, journalists in liberated areas especially direct harm. We had to prepare in great detail. had to take extra care regarding safety. During the election period itself, we did not face extremely severe incidents. We had already pre- The reality is that we had to work in a way where it pared in advance such as assigning responsibili- was not always clear who was contributing to the ties for election day coverage and planning how Nation Voice, and we had to operate under that reporting would be done. So we were able to uncertainty. At the same time, journalists in SAC- manage those challenges. But we must under- controlled areas faced similar security risks. stand that journalists in general are exposed to We prepared from diffeent perspectives and risks such as airstrikes, and we unfortunately lost approaches. colleagues in such circumstances. In terms of editorial processes, we were also We also had field offices, and we had already pre- careful to protect sources and prevent identifi- pared bomb shelters and other protective mea- cation of where information came from, so that sures before the election. These safety procedures news reports would not expose individuals or were systematically implemented in advance. trace back to specific contributors. During election days, were you able to report freely, During election reporting, what difficulties and or did you have to report under surveillance? How challenges did you face in the field? Did the safety was the reporting environment? procedures you prepared in advance prove nec- To be honest, we had to work in a way essary in practice? that was not openly visible. Our reporters and Even before the election period, two journalists contributors observed the situation by passing who were collecting information on the ground near polling stations. Some people were also in Update on Journalism and Media Safety in Myanmar 14