Myanmar Spring Chronicle – August 17th Scene
(MoeMaKa) August 18, 2024
Some Realities Not Seen in the News
It’s generally assumed that the news provides a comprehensive account of daily events in Myanmar. However, even under normal circumstances, without the presence of war, the media often fails to fully convey the important stories from various regions. Upon examining the reasons behind this, it becomes clear that multiple factors are involved. Media outlets might prioritize certain narratives based on their perspective, choosing topics that will attract public interest or protect their own interests. Concerns over potential risks, disruptions in communication networks, and the dangers faced after reporting certain stories are also reasons why comprehensive news coverage is often lacking.
Under normal conditions, it’s estimated that the media can cover up to 80% of the important issues that the public needs to know. However, during times of conflict, factors such as restrictions, risks, denial of access to journalists, and cut-offs in communication routes significantly reduce the extent of news coverage. In some areas, this has resulted in news blackouts lasting weeks or even months. Additionally, during wartime, armed groups often seek to use the media to cover up their crimes or to promote a positive image of themselves, leading to a decline in the number of independent and free journalists.
There’s a saying that nothing can remain hidden for long in the age of social media. However, this doesn’t hold true when social media is blocked, the internet is shut down, or communication networks are completely cut off for weeks or even months. Such measures are often taken to prevent the exposure of crimes and incidents occurring on the battlefield.
The ongoing events in Myanmar have highlighted that while some information reaches the public, many incidents remain unreported. It’s not incorrect to say that numerous events and crimes have gone unreported by the media, staying hidden from public view. As conflicts have intensified, armed groups have shut down major communication networks, restricted access to phones and tablets, and confiscated devices to keep information from coming to light.
While it’s natural for military secrets, such as troop strength, locations, and movements, to be kept hidden, efforts are also made to suppress evidence of human rights violations, war crimes, and even more severe acts like genocide. This suppression often involves the media being tightly controlled, preventing the documentation and dissemination of such information. As a result, certain issues never make it to social media.
The military junta frequently blocks and restricts communication to prevent documentation and dissemination of their crimes. Although the military junta is the primary perpetrator, some armed groups also commit human rights violations and war crimes, and they too engage in intimidation and suppression of social media users and journalists. This behavior is typical in situations where military victory is prioritized above all else.
In an era where everyone has a smartphone capable of taking photos and videos, it’s difficult to completely erase evidence of crimes. While these measures can only delay exposure, eventually, voices, images, locations, and evidence will come to light. While propaganda may temporarily obscure war crimes and human rights violations, those who uncover and expose these hidden truths will eventually emerge.
In these circumstances, media outlets covering war stories often cannot gather information firsthand. Only a few media outlets can send journalists to conflict zones, and when they do, they often have to rely on the protection of armed groups, which compromises their ability to critically analyze and report. In some cases, they may end up validating or spreading propaganda rather than providing accurate coverage.
For war correspondents to maintain their journalistic independence, they must be accompanied by disciplined armed forces that respect their rights and maintain standards. Additionally, journalists need to possess the necessary experience, understand their responsibilities, and uphold an independent stance. Without these elements, journalists risk becoming tools of propaganda for armed groups.
During times like these, it’s crucial not just to follow the mainstream narrative or perspective widely reported in the media, but to also explore and report on the deeper connections and underlying causes behind the scenes.