Since the 1 February 2021 coup the junta has arrested approximately 200 journalists, 43 of whom have been prosecuted and are currently serving prison sentences.

Of those, 11 have been sentenced to between 10 years and life imprisonment, whilst the remainder have been sentenced to between three and 10 years.

The figures came from a 25 January 2025 statement by the Independent Press Council Myanmar (IPCM).

Explaining how IPCM might help imprisoned journalists, the IPCM chairwoman Nan Paw Gay said: “We are doing everything we can to urgently assist journalists imprisoned by the junta. We need to do more to support those jailed. In some cases, it's not just the journalists, but also their families who are facing tremendous hardships.”

Talking about the problems faced by the IPCM she said: “Although we can't offer full-scale assistance yet, IPCM is working with other aid organisations to provide as much emergency support as possible.”

She added: “IPCM is considering and working on creating an emergency fund, not just for our members but for journalists across Myanmar, including those who have been arrested. However, our financial situation is currently not strong enough to implement it on a full scale.”

Due to its limited resources IPCM will not be able to create an emergency fund by itself. Nan Paw Gyi explained: “This is an area where we will not be working alone, but in partnership with other like-minded organisations. That is our focus moving forward.”

IPCM also said that any journalists currently working in Myanmar who experience violence or are arrested should email IPCM about the incident or tell ICPM member organisations or ICPM journalists.

Currently, IPCM is not only assisting imprisoned journalists but, in collaboration with other relevant organisations, it also supports those who have been relocated abroad for security reasons, in collaboration with relevant organisations.