After the 2021 coup, numerous independent and ethnic media outlets resumed operations in exile due to being outlawed, whereas national media houses lacking sufficient capital faced resource challenges. For instance, 30 of 32 senior executives of media organisations interviewed in Media Development Investment Fund Report (2022) reported a significant loss in revenue following the coup. Independent media had to rely on grants to cover up to 50% of the revenue shortfall in 2022. This struggle seems to be mirrored in how these media organisations manage their daily operations. Journalists #1 and #3 underscore a predicament common among independent media houses: they often prioritise public interest but grapple with limited resources, constraining their ability to cover risky stories that might entail additional responsibilities by the organisation. Media houses often do not have clear protocols in place to address journalists’ security concerns, despite imposing tight deadlines for publications. Journalist #7, detained by authorities during travel, was arrested while trying to fulfil an assignment deadline. The absence of a security protocol to disengage him from the office's communication channels endangered his entire team, given the sensitive data stored on his devices. He also admitted that he downplayed the risk. Our FGDs and interview with a media support officer who has worked with several media organisations confirmed the difficulty of establishing standard security protocols in several of those outlets. This situation has led some journalists to take a rather fatalistic stance wherein they simply accept the risks. One journalist (#5) based in Myanmar even reported that having a low risk appetite has consequences for their careers. She frequently declines assignments she perceives as risky, such as using real names to contact informants or filming. This adversely resulted in her negative job performance. “I don't have any salary increase as my performance is not satisfactory,” she explained. 29