Military coup denies right to information and spreads false information

February 9, 2021

HURFOM: After the military seized power in Burma on February 1, 2021, the junta blocked the Internet and telecommunication networks cutting the flow of information.

Without access to information residents are unable to know what is happening. This move by the military enabled the spreading of rumours and false information.

“The Internet shouldn’t be cut off in this situation. Now, the people do not know which information is right or wrong. Limiting access to the Internet leads to trouble. The most important thing is that we don’t know that people are marching in the streets. I am worried that there will be more rumors,” said a Mawlamyine resident.

The military junta has conditionally reopened the telecommunication networks but are still blocking social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, which are the main news sources for the people in Burma.

“After the military coup, we don’t know what is happening in other townships. We don’t even know what is happening in our place. Our eyes and ears are closed. I don’t know why they blocked the Internet and the communication networks. The people can’t watch the news. They can’t decide which news is right or wrong,” said a young girl in Mawlamyine.

Journalists have also been impacted, as they are unable to file their stories or provide accurate updates in real time.

“We can only send messages by phone or make brief phone calls. It is very difficult to confirm what is really happening on the ground. The result is that there are more rumors,” said one reporter.

Critics have noted that without credible access to information, the military junta is able to create fake news in the state-run media. This has included planting false stories that people in Burma continue to go about their daily and typical routines in a peaceful manner.

Images of individuals doing exercises in public parks have been presented, while the reality of tens of thousands of people marching, against a dictatorship in city streets throughout the country is being withheld from the public’s right to know.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News