Rakhine-based journalists have expressed heightened concernfor their safety following the Military Council troops' raid on the office ofthe Development Media Group (DMG) in Sittwe Township, where they arrested areporter and a night watchman.

The arrest of a journalist in the line of duty reflects theprecarious and risky working conditions that Rakhine-based journalists face, aRakhine journalist told Narinjara.

"It's evident that the Military Council is increasinglytargeting journalists. The arrest of a journalist covering a religiouslysignificant event, rather than a political protest, underscores the Junta’sstrong animosity towards journalists, and this raises the risk for allRakhine-based reporters”, he said.

A female reporter from Rakhine State also suggested that thereis a growing belief that the Rakhine State Military Council is prepared toapprehend journalists at any place and time, which there is a heightened riskfaced by field reporters.

"The arrest of a field reporter means other reportersmight think twice about covering certain issues on the ground. This could leadto fewer field reports. Even when news breaks, reporters may hesitate to goimmediately, which seems to align with the Military Council's goals. Whenreporters gather information first-hand, the news tends to be more accurate. Iffield reporting is restricted, it could impact the accuracy of the news.Exploiting this, the Military Council might control information disseminationmore effectively”, she elaborated.

In addition to the raid on DMG's office, the Military Councilhas also confiscated computers, cameras, and bank account books, while sealingoff the premises.

Soldiers arrested DMG reporter Ko Htet Aung during hiscoverage of a food donation ceremony for Buddhist monks at Winkapa Plaza inSittwe Township on October 29th, and DMG has issued a statement stating thatthe reasons for his arrest are currently under investigation.

Following the DMG office raid, journalists from both the DMGand other Rakhine-based news outlets are preemptively avoiding potential risks.

“This act stifles media freedom and the people's right to thetruth, which should never happen. In Rakhine State, DMG is a trusted newssource that prioritizes accuracy and comprehensive reporting from variousperspectives. It's disheartening to see a media outlet like DMG, which strivesto present a balanced view of the government (Military Council) and the otherside (resistance movement), facing such treatment. It's akin to forciblyshutting the eyes and ears of the local communities. DMG has also enduredsignificant losses due to this situation, making it extremely challenging tocontinue reporting. The raid has sent shockwaves through the entire newsworld”, an official of DMG told Narinjara.

In 2019, DMG's editor-in-chief, U Aung Min Oo, was previouslycharged by the Rakhine State Military Council under Section 17-2 of theUnlawful Associations Act. In 2021 an executive editor and a reporter from DMGfaced charges under Section 66(D) of the Telecommunications Act.

During May and October of last year, the editor-in-chief and areporter from another Rakhine-based media outlet, Narinjara, were charged bythe Military Council under Section 505(A) and Section 66(D) of theTelecommunications Act.

In another case on January 22nd 2022, the editor-in-chief anda reporter from the  Rakhine-based news outlet, Western News, werecharged with treason and sedition under Section 124-A by the Military Council'sMajor Bhone Myint Kyaw.

At present, Rakhine-based media outlets are unable toestablish permanent office spaces to evade the targeted oppression of theMilitary Council, and they are operating solely in a mobile capacity.

The incident that precipitated the raid on DMG office involvedMilitary Council soldiers coercing the captured journalist to lead them to hisworkplace, subsequently gaining access to the office. This has intensified theconcerns of all Rakhine-based journalists.