In brief
Following a powerful earthquake striking central Myanmar, the military junta's ongoing internet restrictions have created an information void, affecting emergency responses and public awareness.
The recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which struck central Myanmar at around 12:50 p.m. local time on Friday, sent shockwaves felt as far away as Bangkok, Thailand. However, the aftermath of this disaster has been hindered significantly by the country's ongoing internet censorship policies, initiated and enforced by the military junta following their coup in 2021. Despite an influx of footage and reports flooding social media from affected regions in Thailand, the situation in Myanmar remains clouded by a lack of reliable information. The continuous government-imposed internet shutdowns and limitations on social media access have further isolated the country during this critical time, complicating emergency response efforts. With power outages and infrastructure damage already making information dissemination difficult, these censorship policies exacerbate the uncertainty surrounding the earthquake's impact.In an alarming turn, even government-controlled websites experienced outages post-quake, reflecting the broad communication challenges within the country. According to Access Now, a digital rights organization, Myanmar's military has had the ability to strategically shut down internet access in select areas to thwart dissent. Joe Freeman, a researcher at Amnesty International, highlighted that regions under conflict with military oversight often experience worse connectivity, with some communities relying on satellite-based services like Starlink to share vital information.As the world witnesses extensive reports from Thailand showcasing the earthquake's effects, a stark contrast emerges when compared to Myanmar, where details about the disaster remain obscured. "We still don’t have a clear picture of the extent of the damage and loss and may not for some time," Freeman noted, emphasizing the crucial role a free press plays in emergency reporting, which has been severely compromised in Myanmar.This information void is a far cry from the pre-coup Myanmar, where an active social media landscape facilitated swift communication and engagement during crises, from the Covid pandemic to protests against military rule. Now, millions are left waiting for information in the wake of a devastating natural disaster, reflecting the dire consequences of authoritarian control over digital communication.
