As Myanmar has descended deeper into civil war, Shwe Phee Myay has shone as a beacon of independent journalism. That civil war has gripped the country since late 2021. Established in 2019 in Lashio, this media outlet is one of many that flourished during a decade of political reform in the country. That foundation for citizen engagement has landed Shwe Phee Myay more than a million followers on Facebook. With the military coup and increasing war still severely limiting press freedom, they have become an essential source of information for people across the world.
The journalists at Shwe Phee Myay are not merely reporting the news. They are risking their lives to ensure that vital information reaches the public. After the military coup on February 1, 2021, the threats to their profession only increased. These journalists live under threats, harassment, and the ever-present overhang of arrest. They continue on, unflinching in their commitment to shine a light on this rapidly developing disaster.
A Challenging Environment
The difficulties experienced by Shwe Phee Myay increased sharply following the soldiers and police stormed their office in Lashio. The surprise raid made the team reevaluate their tactics and stakeholders’ operations.
“We always ask ourselves: if we stop, who will continue addressing these issues?” said Mai Rukaw, the editor-in-chief of Shwe Phee Myay.
Having first considered moving to Thailand as conditions worsened, the team eventually chose to stay inside Myanmar. They didn’t want to stop there; they wanted to keep educating the public on what was happening.
Hlar Nyiem, an assistant editor, recounted their difficult circumstances saying, “I couldn’t travel on main roads, only back roads,” highlighting the lengths to which they must go to maintain their coverage.
Documenting the Crisis
Even in the face of these threats and obstacles, Shwe Phee Myay has persevered with its journalistic mission. Through their work, the team has meticulously detailed the military’s actions and their effect. They logged major climate disasters as well, like a magnitude 7.7 quake that hit central Myanmar on Mar. 28th.
The journalists’ ability to access northern Shan State has been invaluable in providing coverage that few others can achieve amid ongoing conflict. “Our perspective was that to gather the news and collect footage, we needed to be here,” stated one journalist from Shwe Phee Myay.
Mai Naw Dang emphasized their fierce love for their land. They said, “Our desire was to remain on our own land.”
This decision demonstrates the spirit of many independent Myanmar journalists who, against all odds, refuse to stop telling true stories.
The Stakes of Reporting
These risks for journalists in Myanmar have dramatically increased in the wake of the military coup. As Tin Tin Nyo, a prominent voice in media advocacy, noted, “Journalists on the ground must work under the constant fear of arrest or even death.” She further articulated the dangers facing independent media by stating, “The military junta treats the media and journalists as criminals, specifically targeting them to silence access to information.”
With the gutting of independent media outlets, that capacity to push back on seeded false narratives and misleading information has receded. Tin Tin Nyo cautioned that this decline “ultimately weakens the pro-democracy movement” and leaves policymakers unaware of the realities on the ground.
Mai Rukaw echoed similar sentiments, expressing frustration about their efforts going unrecognized: “We’re taking risks to report on how people are impacted by the war, yet our efforts seem unrecognised.”
This ongoing lack of recognition makes an ongoing resource and funding challenge for independent journalism in Myanmar all the more oppressive.
The Fight for Survival
Shwe Phee Myay’s journalists still face serious challenges today, but they are committed to doing whatever it takes to keep the public informed. Mai Rukaw highlighted the struggles they face in securing funding: “Even though we have a strong human resource base on the ground, we’re facing significant challenges in securing funding to continue our work.”
It is due to their tireless commitment and courage that these journalists are able to uncover the truths that the brutal military regime hides at all costs. Thu Thu Aung remarked, “These journalists continue to reveal truths and make people’s voices heard that the military regime is desperate to silence.”
With civil war still continuing, Shwe Phee Myay stands determined to continue doing what they do best. The commitment shown by its journalists serves as a testament to their belief in the importance of independent reporting in a time when it is most critical.
