The Myanmar junta has complained of biased coverage by foreign media, which it said was misreporting events in the country and being swayed by distorted information from "terrorists" determined to create instability, Reuters reports.

In a rare statement, the State Administrative Council (SAC) on Monday said it was a friend to the media and international community, but those were misrepresenting its efforts to ensure peace and protect its citizens.

However, the SAC said it finds it troubling that it is “clear and persistent bias of certain foreign media towards terrorist groups. But these media are doing so without fully ascertaining the facts."

The SAC said the “terrorists appear to have swayed sections of the foreign media who report without checking, and repeat misinformation as truth," the report says.

State media coverage of the unrest has been rare, but the military has denied committing atrocities.

Myanmar police stand guard in front of the Union Election Commission building after protesters held a rally demanding a new election in Naypyidaw. Photo: AFP