Preserving journalistic freedoms
As we are now almost a year into the coup in Myanmar, Better Burma has supported dozens of humanitarian missions throughout the country, across all religious and ethnic groups, and met with many more. These sustained relationships, over time, has allowed us to get a better feel for what groups are most aligned with the intentions from our donor base, as well as an opportunity to review the effectiveness of how different groups have been able to make use of these funds. As we move into the new year, we’ll be sharing more details about the specific groups we will begin concentrating our efforts, and those who are doing amazingly courageous and selfless (and often dangerous) tasks to preserve the freedom of a country nearly swallowed up in darkness.
The following mission statement comes from one such organization. They have given us permission to release their words publicly, with the condition that their organization name not be mentioned, as several members have already been arrested, including some who have been killed. Their work centers on protecting and supporting local journalistic assignments in even the most challenging of circumstances, a key activity during a time when the junta is desperate that the truth of their crimes not be exposed. Please consider a donation to allow us to continue to support their brave work.
[Redacted] is an anti-coup protests network which coordinates and organizes mass revolutionary movements, provide humanitarian assistance and media support across the country. The network was founded on 1st February 2021, in response to the military coup and it is organized with a core team, main partners and front-line members.
The original team is made-up with activists, member of parliaments, leaders of party youth wings, leaders of ethnic youth groups and individuals who have been working for civil society and community development.
[Redacted] believe that transactional justice is fundamental; therefore, the heart of our work lies on evidence-based data collection, real-time news coverages and insights, and systematic achieving with a purpose to bring justice for people who are affected by the Myanmar military coup.
We have three different activities and journalist related work. We collaborate with [Redacted] as well. Against this military coup, there is a need for factual and evidence-based reporting of the incidence. Journalists are equally affected by the coup and current turmoil in the country. They are in dire need of protection, capacity building and support so that they can continue their jobs. They play a vital role in collecting evidence, recording the findings, and claiming the stake of their rights in a democratic system, and their works contribute to upholding rule of law and accountability.
In this context, this operation proposed by [Redacted] aims to exercise the collective power of journalism; utilize people’s own agency in reporting an authentic account of what is actually happening in the country in a real time manner. The evidence will be used for future reconciliation, accountability, and legal and institution building and reforms.