The Arakan State military council has issued a statement declaring that it will take action against those who comment on, share and repost news from Arakan-based media outlets.
This warning was published in Rakhine Daily on 5 December.
Those who comment on, share or repost news from media outlets such as Western News, Narinjara, Development Media Group (DMG), Border News Agency, Arakan Bay News (ABN), Cuckoo Chay Vlog, Arakan Princess Media, Voice Of Westland, One Nation News and others who cover news from Rakhine will face action, the statement said. It also states that a list will be compiled and legal action will also be taken against those living abroad during the visa extension period.
In addition, it said two people, a woman from Sittwe and a man, were arrested under Section 505(a) for deliberately spreading fake news on social media to outrage the public and incite racial/political conflict in Myanmar’s western state.
The two arrested are Ma Thazin Aye (aka Ma Abu) from Ye New Su Township in Sittwe and Ko Kyaw Naing Lin from Lan Ma Daw Township (North), reports Rakhine Daily, which publishes military council propaganda news.
These media outlets have reported on human rights violations committed by the military council’s troops against innocent civilians, as well as the indiscriminate shelling and burning of neighbourhoods and villages with heavy weapons in Arakan State.
In an attempt to cover up its crimes, the military council is targeting these media outlets, a journalist commented.
In addition, many journalists, including editors-in-chief of Arakan-based media, have been charged by the military council under various unjust laws.
Sent by Narinjara.