This report is presented to inform members and the general public of the activities carried out by the Independent Myanmar Journalists Association (IMJA) during the term of its 1st Executive Committee to promote journalists’ safety, protect their rights, advance press freedom, enhance professional capacity, and support the long-term sustainability of Myanmar journalists.
During the 1st Executive Committee’s tenure, IMJA divided responsibilities and carried out tasks through 7 operational committees: the Press Freedom Committee, Journalism Development & Advocacy Committee, Research & Monitoring Committee, Safety and Protecting Committee, Finance Committee, Communication & Information Committee, and Ethics & Discipline Committee.
Through these committees, emergency assistance, security support, legal aid, living accommodation, communications, capacity building, and protection of journalists’ rights were provided based on needs to over 500 journalists located domestically, abroad, and in conflict zones.
1. Emergency Assistance and Security for Journalists
Assistance was provided based on specific needs regarding security threats, displacement, arrests, prosecutions, and difficulties faced in continuing journalism work.
Provided Safe House support for over 30 journalist families forced to flee their homes due to security risks.
Provided legal support for 20 journalists who were arrested or prosecuted.
Provided phone bill and cloud storage assistance to over 60 journalists to help them maintain communications and continue their reporting.
Assisted over 80 individuals living in Thailand to obtain temporary residence cards and health insurance cards.
Coordinated with relevant organizations so that journalists facing emergency situations could receive security, accommodation, emergency aid, and other necessary support.
2. Journalism Capacity Building
Training courses were conducted to enhance journalists’ ability to report on human rights, raise their professional standards, and build practical news production skills.
Conducted 5 rounds of Human Rights Sensitive Reporting (HRSR) training, attended by over 60 journalists.
Conducted 3 rounds of Gender and Human Rights Violation (GHRV) training.
Conducted 2 rounds of Documenting Human Rights Violation (DHRV) training.
Over 100 women parliamentarians participated in the GHRV and DHRV training programs.
For all programs involving journalists, Story Grants were awarded to every participating journalist to produce practical news stories and articles following the training.
3. Conflict Zone Reporting, Digital Security, and Journalist Sustainability
Around 8 workshops were organized—with over 160 journalists participating—to discuss and find solutions regarding safe reporting in conflict areas, raising awareness and practical application of digital security, protecting sources and data securely, and addressing challenges to journalists’ survival and safety.
These workshops primarily focused on risks encountered while reporting in conflict zones, digital security, source and data protection, safety during emergencies, and the long-term sustainability of journalists.
4. Press Freedom and Protection of Journalists’ Rights
Monitored and documented cases of arrest, prosecution, imprisonment, threats, killings, and restrictions on access to information involving journalists.
Regarding violations of journalists’ rights, IMJA released statements, demands, and open letters, communicated and coordinated with relevant entities, shared data, and conducted advocacy with local and international press freedom and media protection organizations.
Regardless of which organization or armed group committed arrests, threats, violence, or press freedom violations against journalists, IMJA stood firmly on the principles of journalists’ rights and press freedom to take necessary actions.
5. Ethics, Discipline, and Complaint Handling
The Ethics & Discipline Committee took responsibility for systematically accepting and examining issues related to ethics, discipline, labor rights, and journalistic standards arising between news outlets and journalists.
During the term of the 1st Executive Committee, a total of 12 complaints regarding issues between media outlets and journalists were submitted to IMJA.
These complaints were reviewed and resolved based on principles of ethics, rights, and justice by gathering relevant facts, obtaining explanations from involved parties, and coordinating directly with stakeholders.
6. Research, Monitoring, and Publication
The Research & Monitoring Committee published 2 research and recommendation policy papers to study the state of Myanmar media, challenges faced by journalists, and the status of press freedom.
They are:
Voices of Resilience: Myanmar Journalists Navigating Truth in Struggle
Recommendation on Press Freedom in Myanmar
Through these papers, the association documented the situation of Myanmar journalists, challenges in the media sector, and press freedom conditions, while submitting necessary recommendations.
Throughout the term of the 1st Executive Committee, IMJA has engaged across all sectors to respond to the immediate emergency needs of Myanmar journalists, while working toward their safe sustainability, professional capacity development, rights protection, press freedom promotion, and researching and documenting the state of Myanmar media.
Submitted to inform all members of IMJA regarding the above activities.
Independent Myanmar Journalists Association (IMJA)
