Myanmar Invites Foreign Media to Cover Junta-Run Election
Election authorities in Myanmar have announced that international media will be allowed to cover the country's upcoming junta-run polls, marking an apparent invitation for foreign press to scrutinize the deeply disputed vote.
In a significant development, election authorities in Myanmar have stated that both local and international news media will be permitted to cover the forthcoming junta-run elections.
These polls, set to commence on December 28, are being touted by the military regime as a pathway towards peace, yet they face substantial scrutiny due to concerns over their legitimacy.
The Union Election Commission's announcement reflects an attempt to open up the electoral process to increased international observation and reporting, amidst widespread skepticism regarding its fairness.
The junta's control over the media landscape has been marked by censorship and intimidation since the 2021 coup that triggered a civil conflict.
Reporters Without Borders asserts that this period has seen the 'shattering of the media landscape,' with local journalists shouldering much of the repression while foreign media have largely withdrawn from the country, with the notable exception of Agence France-Presse (AFP), which maintains a full bureau within Myanmar.
This announcement comes against a backdrop where the military regime is under pressure to demonstrate transparency in its governance.
The upcoming elections are expected to unfold over several weeks and will be subject to scrutiny both domestically and internationally.
However, there remains considerable uncertainty regarding the selection process for international media organizations seeking access and what this might entail.
In recent years, Myanmar's democratic opening saw a flourishing of new domestic outlets and an influx of foreign journalists.
The military coup led to a significant contraction in press freedom, with numerous outlets closing or relocating to areas controlled by resistance groups or operating from exile in neighboring countries.
Myanmar features prominently among nations known for imprisoning journalists, ranking third globally according to the Committee to Protect Journalists' 2024 report.
Critics argue that the elections lack legitimacy due to the absence of key democratic figures, including Aung San Suu Kyi, who was deposed and imprisoned following the coup.
Her party, the National League for Democracy, has also been disbanded by the junta.
The political climate remains repressive, with protests against the election being punishable by up to a decade in prison.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has decided not to send election observers, aligning with international rights groups' calls to withhold their participation out of concerns that the vote will be neither free nor fair.
These polls, set to commence on December 28, are being touted by the military regime as a pathway towards peace, yet they face substantial scrutiny due to concerns over their legitimacy.
The Union Election Commission's announcement reflects an attempt to open up the electoral process to increased international observation and reporting, amidst widespread skepticism regarding its fairness.
The junta's control over the media landscape has been marked by censorship and intimidation since the 2021 coup that triggered a civil conflict.
Reporters Without Borders asserts that this period has seen the 'shattering of the media landscape,' with local journalists shouldering much of the repression while foreign media have largely withdrawn from the country, with the notable exception of Agence France-Presse (AFP), which maintains a full bureau within Myanmar.
This announcement comes against a backdrop where the military regime is under pressure to demonstrate transparency in its governance.
The upcoming elections are expected to unfold over several weeks and will be subject to scrutiny both domestically and internationally.
However, there remains considerable uncertainty regarding the selection process for international media organizations seeking access and what this might entail.
In recent years, Myanmar's democratic opening saw a flourishing of new domestic outlets and an influx of foreign journalists.
The military coup led to a significant contraction in press freedom, with numerous outlets closing or relocating to areas controlled by resistance groups or operating from exile in neighboring countries.
Myanmar features prominently among nations known for imprisoning journalists, ranking third globally according to the Committee to Protect Journalists' 2024 report.
Critics argue that the elections lack legitimacy due to the absence of key democratic figures, including Aung San Suu Kyi, who was deposed and imprisoned following the coup.
Her party, the National League for Democracy, has also been disbanded by the junta.
The political climate remains repressive, with protests against the election being punishable by up to a decade in prison.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has decided not to send election observers, aligning with international rights groups' calls to withhold their participation out of concerns that the vote will be neither free nor fair.
