On July 9, the military junta’s Ministry of Information announced its intention to pursue legal action against independent news organisations, Mizzima Television and the Democratic Voice of Burma Television (DVB TV), claiming the outlets owed a combined MMK 100,000,000 (approx. USD 47,800) in overdue transmission fees incurred before the military coup.
In an interview with Voice of America, Mizzima co-founder Soe Myint claimed the junta had also charged seven of the outlet’s employees with breaking Section 505(a) of Myanmar's Penal Code, despite many now being based abroad. The amended legislation has been used to persecute media workers in Myanmar since its introduction by the military, criminalising the circulation of any information with the intent to defame government employees. These charges hold a maximum of two years imprisonment.
Both Mizzima and DVB TV have denied the legitimacy of the junta’s legal action, stating that the broadcasting contracts were signed with the democratically elected government, overthrown in 2021, with the junta violating the agreement by shutting down their respective channels. The DVB stated its intention not to pay the fees, while Mizzima leadership have claimed they would pay the outstanding total if given access to its bank accounts, seized by the junta in March 2021.
The parent companies of both organisations signed agreements with Myanmar Radio and Television in 2018, providing content for the state broadcaster’s free-to-air services. The Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) and Mizzima news agencies' Yangon offices were seized by junta military personnel in March 2021, with their media licenses revoked alongside three other independent outlets. As detailed in the IFJ’s 2022 Myanmar situation report, The Revolution Will Not Be Broadcast, journalists and media workers are among thousands of dissidents, politicians, and lawmakers forced into exile or underground following the Junta’s ascension to power on February 1, 2021.
The MJN said:“[This action constitutes] further defamation action against two independent media outlets which have a large number of audiences in Myanmar by the military junta. The coup military government ministry broke the agreement between the Ministry of Information and DVB and Mizzima. The ministry switches off these two TV channels without prior notice or in line with the agreement. That's why their narrative is illegal.”
The IFJ said:"The military junta must cease its blatant attacks against media organisations, with this attempt to extract money from junta-shuttered news outlets unjustifiable. The IFJ condemns this act of intimidation against the Democratic Voice of Burma and Mizzima and urges the military’s Ministry of Information to suspend its legal action and allow media organisations to work without fear of reprisal.”