5/1/2021 A Preliminary Analysis of the Myanmar Military Junta’s Media Propaganda – Tea Circle COVID-19 pandemic and commitments to handle Myanmar’s economic decline. On February 8, MRTV broadcasted news of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing’s meeting with the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) and his instructions to implement the process of re-opening. The junta’s intention to gain public support through performance-based legitimacy has become apparent through their media releases. The junta’s method of propaganda also involves rewarding the public with incentives. According to the news aired by MWD on 7th February, a transportation project was launched in rural Magway District to provide for civilians’ social well-being. In Senior General Min Aung Hlaing’s speech on 8th February, he mentioned that the junta would give its best effort to creating job opportunities. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing also requested that the government staff who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement should get back to work, stating that civil servants’ cooperation is necessary for the country to run. The motive behind his appealing words, which emphasized the importance of government staff, is ultimately to ensure the functioning of the regime’s bureaucratic mechanism. February 8 and 11 saw speeches by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, each broadcasted at least three times within two consecutive days. In these speeches, Min Aung Hlaing emphasized election fraud and the 2008 Constitution, which can be seen as a part of the regime’s effort to gain legitimacy. Mentioning the fact that there will be no change in foreign policy and that the military will continue establishing friendly relations with all countries, the regime has tried to gain the recognition of the international community. Phrases such as “people are the parents,” “no one is above the law,” “multi-party democratic system,” and “genuine and disciplined multi-party democratic system” were repeatedly used, and the military junta is therefore, pretending as if its actions adhere to democratic norms. The repetitive slogans and phrases such as “unity is strength,” “eternal peace,” “esteemed national, ethnic people,” and “national people” indicate that the military is seeking the support of various ethnic political parties as well as the people living in the different corners of the country. According to the fth point of the Road Map introduced by Min Aung Hlaing in his rst speech, it was stated that the 2008 Constitution emerged out of https://teacircleoxford.com/2021/03/09/a-preliminary-analysis-of-the-myanmar-military-juntas-media-propaganda/ 4/16