Myanmar journalists across borders remain dedicated to truth despite risks

May 12, 2026

Since Myanmar's 2021 coup intensified the political crisis, journalists face impossible choices between their profession and personal safety, with many forced into exile while others remain inside the country despite extreme danger. Myanmar has become one of the world's most dangerous places for journalists, with independent media systematically dismantled, outlets shut down, and reporters detained or imprisoned under sweeping laws. Exiled journalists work under precarious conditions using encrypted communications and underground networks, while those still inside, like journalist Htet, report from active conflict zones to document realities that might otherwise disappear.

Who is affected

Journalists from Myanmar (both those in exile and those reporting from inside the country)
Specific individuals mentioned: Htet (journalist reporting from inside Myanmar), Mon (39-year-old exiled journalist based in Mae Sot)
Independent media outlets in Myanmar
Human rights defenders
Communities inside Myanmar whose stories need documentation
Global audiences receiving information about Myanmar

What action is being taken

Exile Hub is empowering journalists and human rights defenders
Journalists in exile are relying on underground networks, encrypted communication, and second-hand verification to continue reporting
Htet is reporting from inside Myanmar's active conflict zones
Exiled and in-country journalists are collaborating, with those inside providing firsthand accounts and those in exile amplifying and verifying stories
Exile Hub is running the "Only My Voice Left" campaign where journalists share their stories in their own words

Why it matters

This matters because Myanmar remains one of the world's leading jailers of journalists and most dangerous environments for media professionals. When journalists are silenced, societies lose truth, accountability, and the possibility of justice—not just information. The continued work of these journalists, despite facing arrests, surveillance, violence, and systematic dismantling of independent media, ensures that realities on the ground are documented and amplified to global audiences. Without their reporting, the situation in Myanmar and the voices of affected communities would disappear from public view.

What's next

ExileHub calls for:
Protection for journalists at risk
Sustained support for both exile and in-country journalists

Read full article from source: Global Voices