The military junta is using a fake “openness” to hide its ongoing crackdown on the press. While they have released some high-profile detainees and allowed restricted access to state-vetted international outlets, the regime is effectively using the press as aprop for its own legitimacy rather than a watchdog for the public. In reality, the media is under heavy control in a new form; independent journalists face constant spying not just by military but also by pro-military journalists and civilian actors, the Myanmar Journalist Association (MJA) reinforces compliant journalist practices, and many reporters are quitting out of fear. This creates a dangerous situation where the truth is hidden, and the public can no longer access reliable information about what is actually happening in the country. There was no new arrest by the military junta in the first quarter of 2026. Update on Journalism and Media Safety in Myanmar 3