Reporting from behind shifting front lines in Myanmar’s civil war

Mai Rupa, a video journalist from Shan State in eastern Myanmar, travels through the region to report on the impact of war. Working for Shwe Phee Myay, an online news outlet, he covers stories ranging from battle updates to the lives of civilians in conflict zones, facing dangers like landmines and bombings. Witnessing injuries and deaths has deeply affected him, but he is determined to continue his work as one of the few independent journalists in Myanmar post the 2021 military coup. Many journalists fled the country due to the coup, but Shwe Phee Myay’s team remains, covering the ongoing civil war and ethnic conflicts. Despite facing risks and arrests, they persist in their mission to inform the public. The loss of international funding due to US policy changes has added to the challenges faced by Myanmar’s journalists. The country’s media freedom is severely restricted, with many journalists imprisoned. Shwe Phee Myay, with its large following on social media, plays a crucial role in providing news to the people amidst the crisis, despite financial constraints.