An Interview with IPCM Secretary U Toe Zaw Latt on the impact of the US government funding suspension on independent Myanmar media and public access to accurate information
The Independent Press Council of Myanmar (IPCM) states that the cessation of US government funding has negatively impacted independent media outlets in Myanmar, as well as the public’s access accurate information.
IPCM Secretary U Toe Zaw Latt said that the cessation of US government aid has led to many challenges for independent Myanmar news media, including financial struggles, rising production costs, difficulties in paying journalists’ salaries, and security concerns.
Network Media Group (NMG) conducted this interview with IPCM Secretary U Toe Zaw Latt regarding the shutdown of independent media outlets and its impact on the public’s access to accurate information.
Q: What impact has independent Myanmar media been having after the US government cut off funding?
A: Large media outlets are partially affected. Small media outlets are almost entirely affected. The extent of the impact varies from one organization to another. But the most affected are our people. Especially, the cessation of operations by Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) has had a major impact. With a combined total of 33 million Facebook followers—19 million for VOA and 14 million for RFA—the right of these individuals to access information has been significantly disrupted.
Q: What challenges are independent media in Myanmar encountering, and how are they addressing these challenges?
A: Independent media in Myanmar are facing numerous challenges, particularly in terms of financial and security issues. One of the most pressing difficulties is the cost of news production and the challenge of paying journalists’ salaries. In response, many media outlets are trying to continue their work with minimal staff, and some have already adopted this approach.
However, it remains to be seen how long this can continue. I believe these cutbacks will significantly impact both the quantity and quality of news. Journalists themselves are struggling to survive. The question is how to overcome these challenges in various ways. We are concerned that, without proper news coverage during this critical time, Myanmar could become increasingly flooded with fake news, misinformation, and propaganda. Despite these challenges, journalists are doing their best to overcome these difficulties.
Q: What does the future hold?
A: Regarding future prospects, I believe no one will give up. We’ve been dealing with these challenges for about 30 years, with ups and downs, good and bad times. These are not new experiences for us. We’ve faced similar hardships before, and the media has continued to stand strong through it all. I don’t think it will be easy, but it has endured for over three decades.
I believe this difficulty can be overcome, though it will take some time. The key will be adapting to new forms of revenue, particularly through digital platforms. For instance, exploring ways to generate income from Facebook and YouTube. We are exploring every possible avenue to survive by diversifying our sources of income. While this crisis is challenging, I believe it is temporary, and we can overcome it in a relatively short period.
Q: On the other hand, could the propaganda media become even more powerful?
A: Yes, particularly China and Russia are using fake and misleading news as tools of psychological warfare. The most effective way to counter authoritarian regimes like those in Russia and China, which spread fake news and propaganda, is by releasing accurate, truthful information.
If there are fewer outlets and platforms producing accurate news, fake news could dominate, leading people to become more misled. Therefore, it’s crucial for us—independent media outlets and journalists—to combat these dangers by delivering the most reliable and truthful information possible.
Sent by NMG