Myanmar: PEN Centre releases its third freedom of expression scorecard

Flag of the Union of Myanmar

2 May 2018 - Marking the two-year anniversary of the National League for Democracy (NLD) coming to power, PEN Myanmar launched its freedom of expression scorecard, revealing that there has been a significant deterioration in free expression in Myanmar since 2017.

“Before it was elected the NLD believed in protest and criticism and encouraged it, but now it gets angry if you dare to counter anything it says or does.”

The analysis, conducted with 18 expert partners, assessed the NLD government’s progress – or lack thereof – in 6 key areas needed to strengthen freedom of expression:

• Laws and regulations

• Media independence and freedom

• Digital freedom

• Freedom of assembly, speech and opinion

• Right to information

• Safety and security

The experts gathered found that scores had improved on previous years in only one area – the right to information – and even then, only slightly. Meanwhile the experts concluded that there had been significant regression in the realms of legislation, and freedom of assembly, speech and opinion.

To read the report and its recommendations, click here.

For more information, please contact PEN Myanmar Secretary, Mr Han Zaw (hanza.media@gmail.com).