The High Military Command’s January 9 statement, reviewed by CPJ, said that “it is expressly prohibited to hold any unauthorized press conferences or make any unauthorized public statements that jeopardize peace and social cohesion.”
It added that those who violated the order would be “severely reprimanded.”
Despite their fear, several journalists told CPJ that they continued to attend and cover news conferences.
“We need to defy the junta’s instructions to do journalism, otherwise we’ll only be covering their agenda,” said one.
Other reporters told CPJ that government interviews and statements were their only source of news.
‘We do our jobs in fear’
CPJ spoke to multiple state and private-sector journalists who said reporting had becoming increasingly risky since the military took power last year, with a growing tendency to self-censor.
“We do our jobs in fear and many of our colleagues just stay at home for their safety,” one said.
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