On 24 April 2026, the Myanmar junta’s Ministry of Information officially announced the revocation of publishing licenses for three independent news agencies: Khonumthung Media Group, Chin World, and Myatmaukkhit News Agency (Nowadays News). The military regime justified the revocations by citing violations of Section 8(b) of the Printing and Publishing Enterprise Law, claiming the outlets produced content that jeopardized “national security,” the “rule of law,” and “public peace.” The bans include a strict prohibition against publishing or broadcasting across any media platform or technology.
Khonumthung and Chin World are prominent media organizations primarily reporting on Chin State and are active members of Burma News International (BNI). In response to the shutdown, Khonumthung asserted its continued commitment to the public, vowing to deliver timely, ethical, and accurate news despite the ongoing oppression. According to the Independent Press Council Myanmar (IPCM), the junta has brutally restricted independent journalism since the 2021 attempted coup. In the last five years, the regime has revoked the licenses of at least 15 media agencies, killed at least seven journalists, arrested over 200 media workers, and currently holds more than 40 journalists in prison.