Myanmar coup: Journalists 'really scared and most are in hiding' as public resistance grows
Myanmar coup: Journalists 'really scared and most are in hiding' as public resistance grows
Sky's Siobhan Robbins speaks to a reporter who fled their home as journalists in Myanmar report a campaign of intimidation.
Thursday 4 February 2021 11:55, UK
Journalists in Myanmar have gone into hiding following Monday's military coup, with the new government having blocked access to Facebook as resistance to the takeover grows.
The first street protest against the ousting of the elected government was held in Mandalay today, while residents in several cities banged pots and pans as part of a civil disobedience movement.
The Ministry of Communications and Information said the social media platform, which is used by half of Myanmar's more than 53 million population, would be restricted until 7 February because users were "spreading fake news and misinformation and causing misunderstanding".
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It comes as journalists in the country report a campaign of intimidation, with some being forced into hiding.
Sky's Southeast Asia correspondent Siobhan Robbins spoke to one of the reporters, Shwe Mon, who fled their home.
Their name and location has been changed for their own protection.
Here is what they told her:
I got a call from my friend saying that we were on the list that the military would come for.
They said some journalists elsewhere were already in hiding and some were now being interrogated by the military.
So I thought, OK, I should be in hiding, even for a night, because we had to prepare - otherwise we would have lost everything.
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