In brief
In the aftermath of a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake, Myanmar's communication barriers have resulted in a severe lack of information about the disaster's impact, contrasting starkly with the immediate coverage from neighboring Thailand.
On March 28, 2025, a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time. While social media in Thailand buzzed with images and updates showcasing the damage, Myanmar remains shrouded in silence, due largely to the internet censorship imposed by the country’s ruling military junta. Since seizing power in a coup in 2021, the military has orchestrated measures to control telecommunication networks, blocking social media access, and enacting internet shutdowns in various regions. These actions aim to stifle dissent and support the regime but lead to significant information blackouts during emergencies like this earthquake. As the quake shook cities and damaged infrastructures, even government officials struggled to maintain online presence, with several official junta websites going offline. Digital rights organizations such as Access Now highlight the military's escalation of censorship, severely limiting the flow of vital information. Notably, while certain regions face greater connectivity issues, areas afflicted by rebel conflict, particularly utilize satellite-based services like Starlink to bypass these restrictions. Joe Freeman, a Myanmar researcher at Amnesty International, remarked on the conspicuous disparity in the available information. He pointed out that while Thailand has showcased extensive coverage and documentation of the quake's impacts, Myanmar remains clouded in uncertainty concerning the scale of the disaster and casualties.This informational void starkly contrasts with the pre-coup environment where social media platforms thrived with user-generated content during crises, bringing news and discussions to the forefront. The current state of internet censorship leaves Myanmar isolated, amplifying the challenges in rescue efforts and the dissemination of critical updates following the natural disaster. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how much longer the military's grip on communication will persist, and how it will continue to affect the people of Myanmar during such critical times.
