Myanmar regime shuts down three news outlets in continued press suppression drive

By Admin 12 May 2026

DMG Newsroom

12 May 2026, Nay Pyi Taw

The regime is targeting independent news outlets through continued suppression of media by revoking publishing licences.

On May 12, the regime-controlled Ministry of Information announced the revocation of publishing licences for Myaelatt Athan, Red News Agency, and Asia Citizens.

The ministry stated that the licences were revoked for failure to comply with laws related to printing and publishing. It also accused the news agencies of publishing content that allegedly harms national security, the rule of law, and public peace.

“The regime does not tolerate or accept independent media that are not under their control, and they treat us like enemies. Because they don’t want their human rights violations and the unjust killing of civilians to be exposed, they continue to revoke the licences of news media that were officially registered before the coup,” said U Win Zaw Naing, editor-in-chief of Red News Agency, to DMG.

In its statement, the ministry said the certificates belonging to U Ye Thwin Hein of Myaelatt Athan, U Win Zaw Naing of Red News Agency, and U Zin Min Htet of Asia Citizens were revoked under Section 8, Sub section (b) for alleged non-compliance with regulations.

The announcement stated that since the licences were revoked starting April 23, 2024, these outlets are prohibited from publishing or broadcasting through any form of media or technology.

However, media professionals point out that these news agencies have been reporting on alleged military human rights violations on the ground.

“As long as the regime leads the country, we cannot expect freedom of the press. For the public to receive true news, it is necessary for the revoked news agencies and journalists to continue struggling to survive,” U Win Zaw Naing added.

Journalists observe that although the regime has transitioned into a civilian style government, it is increasingly restricting media operations according to its own design.

Since 2021, the regime has consistently revoked media licences and arrested journalists.

“The suppression of news media by the regime, as they have designed it, is becoming worse than before. We can see that the situation is likely to deteriorate further,” said Ko Wunna Khwar Nyo, editor-in-chief of Western News.

In areas controlled by the regime, only pro military propaganda media are allowed to operate, and the media industry is heading toward further decline.

“In areas controlled by the regime, independent news media no longer exist. People are losing their right to information. We see that only the military’s propaganda, such as MWD and MRTV, is operating fully. This can clearly be described as media psychological warfare,” Ko Wunna Khwar Nyo continued.

The junta-controlled Ministry of Information announced on April 23 that it had revoked the publishing licences of Chin State based news outlets Khonumthung Media Group and Chin World, as well as Nowadays News on April 24.

As the regime has revoked the publishing licences of six media organizations since April 23, 2026, a total of six outlets were shut down within one month.

According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Myanmar ranks 166th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index and remains in the “red zone,” indicating a very serious situation for press freedom.