Geneva, 23 June 2026: Expressing concern over the imposition of restrictions on 97 media outlets by the military-controlled government in Naypyidaw, the global media safety and rights body, Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), urges the authorities to revoke all kinds of bans, restrictions, and de-licensing over news outlets.

Reacting to recent news from the Southeast Asian nation about the cancellation of operating licenses of three more media outlets, namely Myaelatt Athan, Red News Agency, and Asia Citizens, the PEC demanded the country’s quasi-civilian junta government to allow all media groups to perform their duties in a free and fair atmosphere.

“We demand all independent media outlets and publishing houses to get free hands to function properly. Myanmar’s Independent Press Council claimed that their country remains among the worst nations across the world for press-freedom restrictions. The newly appointed President Min Aung Hlaing should take an initiative to ease all kinds of restrictions over media in Myanmar,” said Blaise Lempen, president of PEC (https://www.pressemblem.ch/pec-news).

PEC’s South and Southeast Asia representative Nava Thakuria stated that over 215 media professionals were arrested since the military coup took place on 1 February 2021, and 18 journalists continue to be under detention to date. According to Athan, a non-profit organization dedicated to promote freedom of expression in Myanmar, no new arrest (of scribes) by the military junta was reported in the first quarter of 2026, and even seven journalists were released under amnesty till March this year.