Geneva: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), a global media safety and rights organization, has expressed concern over restrictions imposed on 97 media outlets by Myanmar’s military-backed government and called for the immediate withdrawal of all bans and licence cancellations.
The demand comes after authorities in Myanmar reportedly cancelled the operating licences of three more media outlets — Myaelatt Athan, Red News Agency and Asia Citizens.
PEC urged the government in Naypyitaw to allow independent media organizations and publishing houses to function freely and fairly.
PEC President Blaise Lempen said Myanmar remains one of the worst countries in the world for press freedom and called on President Min Aung Hlaing to ease restrictions on the media.
PEC’s South and Southeast Asia representative Nava Thakuria said that more than 215 media professionals have been arrested since the military coup on February 1, 2021. According to him, 18 journalists remain in detention.
Citing information from Athan, PEC noted that no new arrests of journalists by the military authorities were reported during the first quarter of 2026, while seven journalists were released under an amnesty programme by March this year.
PEC reiterated its call for greater press freedom and the restoration of a free and independent media environment in Myanmar.
