Several independent media outlets in Myanmar condemned an article published by The Economist on May 19 which criticizes the local media for “painting an overly optimistic picture of the war.”
The publication is referring to the armed resistance against the junta which grabbed power during the February 2021 coup.
Titled “Myanmar’s resistance is at risk of believing its own propaganda,” the article cast doubt about the accuracy of online reports that seemingly depict the looming defeat of the junta.
Economist piece is inaccurate and unethical. It attacks the credibility of independent #Myanmar media whose journalists risk & sacrifice their lives to report on Myanmar military's terrorism w/o offering a right of reply.@TheEconomist should rectify this https://t.co/6V8zhq0R3G pic.twitter.com/f9e3Z1gANA
— Progressive Voice (@PVamplify) May 22, 2022
Opposition groups that organized a civil disobedience campaign also advised The Economist to double-check its claims.
Not recognizing the fact that this is an unprecedented situation is a fatal flaw in any analysis about Myanmar. People on ground are very much aware of their own shortcomings. Nobody believe that a victory is imminent either. Get your facts right @TheEconomist.
— Civil Disobedience Movement (@cvdom2021) May 21, 2022
