PEC Urges Myanmar Junta to Lift Curbs on Media After More Outlets Lose Licences

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), a global media safety and rights organization, has expressed concern over the continued restrictions imposed on media organizations by Myanmar's military-controlled government and called for the immediate restoration of press freedoms in the country.

The appeal comes after authorities in Naypyitaw reportedly cancelled the operating licences of three additional media outlets—Myaelatt Athan, Red News Agency, and Asia Citizens—bringing renewed attention to the deteriorating environment for independent journalism in the Southeast Asian nation.

In a statement, PEC urged Myanmar's authorities to revoke all bans, restrictions and de-licensing measures imposed on news organizations and allow media outlets to operate freely and fairly.

“We demand all independent media outlets and publishing houses to get free hands to function properly. Myanmar’s Independent Press Council claimed that their country remains among the worst nations across the world for press freedom restrictions. The newly appointed President Min Aung Hlaing should take an initiative to ease all kinds of restrictions over media in Myanmar,” said Blaise Lempen, President of PEC.

According to PEC, a total of 97 media outlets currently face various forms of restrictions under the military-backed administration. The organization warned that continued suppression of independent journalism undermines access to information and democratic discourse in the country.

PEC's South and Southeast Asia representative Nava Thakuria noted that more than 215 media professionals have been arrested since the military seized power on February 1, 2021. While 18 journalists remain in detention, the situation has shown some signs of improvement in recent months.

Citing data from Athan, a Myanmar-based organization that advocates freedom of expression, Thakuria said no new arrests of journalists by the military authorities were reported during the first quarter of 2026. He also noted that seven journalists were released under an amnesty programme before the end of March.

Despite these developments, PEC maintained that meaningful progress would require the restoration of media rights and the removal of restrictions on independent news organizations, enabling journalists to carry out their work without fear of censorship, harassment or imprisonment.