24 April 2026 – Myanmar’s State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC) has revoked the operating licenses of three media organisations, including two Chin-based outlets, in a move that raises further concerns over press freedom in the country.
According to an announcement issued by the Ministry of Information on 23 April, the licenses of Chin World News Agency, Khonumthung Media Group, and Nowadays News were cancelled for alleged violations of the Printing and Publishing Law.
Authorities claimed the outlets had disseminated content that could harm national security, the rule of law, and public stability. The order took effect retroactively from 9 April, prohibiting the organisations from producing or distributing news in any format.
The decision comes amid an ongoing crackdown on independent media following Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, which has seen dozens of journalists arrested, outlets shuttered, and press credentials revoked.
According to one of the senior editors who talked to the Chinland Guardian on condition of anonymity, Khonumthung News would continue its journalistic activities to ensure the public’s access to accurate and independent information despite these developments. The outlet further emphasized that the revocation of its license will not significantly affect its operations.
Khonumthung News, a Kalay-based media outlet, was originally registered during the NLD government and operated with a license renewed every five years. However, due to various circumstances, the outlet was no longer permitted to renew its license, which subsequently expired in 2025. The outlet also did not pursue an extension under the SAC authorities.
The authorities alleged that the outlet’s reporting on the SAC military council undermined the reputation of the state. On this basis, the renewal of its license was denied, and its media license was formally revoked.
Following the military coup, the SSSPC revoked the licenses of at least 15 journalists and media organizations in an effort to restrict the dissemination of independent news.
Chin-based media organisations, many of which operate in exile or under difficult conditions, have played a critical role in reporting on conflict and humanitarian conditions in western Myanmar.
Observers and media rights groups say such measures are part of broader efforts by military authorities to control information and limit coverage of resistance activities and human rights issues, particularly in conflict-affected regions like Chin State.
Despite increasing restrictions, many independent outlets continue to publish through online platforms and cross-border networks, often relying on diaspora support and informal distribution channels to reach audiences inside Myanmar.The latest action against the three outlets underscores the shrinking space for independent journalism and the growing risks faced by reporters covering developments in the country’s ongoing political and armed crisis. – Reporting by Ben
