The military has its own portfolio of media outlets, including the Myawady Daily, a publication launched in April 2011 after the first civilian-elected members of the government were appointed (following a long military dictatorship), and Myawady TV, a broadcaster launched in 1995 that now operates seven television stations (under the MWD brand) and three radio stations (under the Thazin brand).
Media assets
Television: MWD, MWD Variety, TVM, MWD Education Knowledge and Sports, Channel Light, Golden Land, WAF
Publishing: Myawady Daily, Yanadabon, Ngwetayi, Thutha Alin, Agaza Myingwin
Radio: Thazin FM, Star FM
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
MWD is owned and operated by the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces). According to local journalists interviewed for this report in May 2024, the military makes all management appointments at all military media outlets.
Source of funding and budget
There is no publicly available information on the MWD’s annual budget. According to local journalists and experts interviewed for this report in May 2024, the military covers over 80% of MWD media expenditures.
Editorial independence
MWD media outlets all follow an official editorial line imposed by the army, according to journalists familiar with MWD internal affairs interviewed by the Media and Journalism Research Center for this report in May 2024.
There is no domestic statute that guarantees the editorial independence of the military-run media, and there is no independent evaluation or oversight mechanism.
September 2024