5/22/22, 8:02 PM Spin, lies and social media obscure crisis in Myanmar - Asia Times More analysis is needed on how the military and security forces are managing those information flows, instead of simply denouncing the civilian government. But Suu Kyi as de facto national leader will ultimately have to take responsibility for the official messaging, including the use of racist labels, demonizing of international aid organizations and threats made to the independent media. There have doubtless been frequent exaggerations and misleading reporting in the international media, influenced by a lack of access and reliable information sources, and the government likely feels besieged by widespread foreign condemnation of its widely reported rights abuses in the area. Pro-Rohingya social media traffic likewise trades in exaggerations, half-truths and fabricated videos and photos of security force-perpetuated abuses. Once again, establishing the truth behind the violence in northern Rakhine State is hampered by the desperate dissemination of fake news on both sides. ARSA, too, has pursued a relatively sophisticated public relations strategy for several months, targeting Western journalists on Twitter, releasing statements in English and pushing its moderate message of wanting to live peacefully alongside ethnic Rakhine, while calling for the United Nations to help them end long-standing crimes against humanity against their ethnic brethren. A police officer on patrol in Maungdaw, northern Rakhine state, Myanmar August 30, 2017. Photo: Reuters/Soe Zeya Tun An ARSA spokesman told Asia Times that its coordinated attacks last week were ‘preemptive’, as the Tatmadaw was planning strikes in the Mayu mountain range against its remote bases and training areas. https://asiatimes.com/2017/09/spin-lies-social-media-obscure-crisis-myanmar/ 5/9