Research Objective and Methodology
The original objective of this research is to conduct an analysis of how the civilian government dealt with “hate speech” issues. Yet, the research project was extended to an analysis of the “hate speech” situation including how the illegal junta has utilized incitement and propaganda in Myanmar since the coup attempt on 1 February 2021.
The analysis covers 1 April 2016 and 31 December 2022. While the government’s official statements and records, statements and announcements on social media, statements and records on official websites, official records of the Hluttaw (parliament) on its website and research findings of “hate speech” by a local research organisation covering the incidents between 1 April 2016 and 31 January 2021 were gathered for the analysis of the situation under the civilian government, media reports of independent media outlets regarding the campaigns and activities of the Myanmar military, the propaganda of the military’s mouthpiece and proxy media channels, research findings of “hate speech” by a local research organization, research reports published by independent organizations and other relevant information covering the incidents between 1 February 2021 and 30 December 2022 were gathered for the analysis of the situation after the Myanmar military staged an attempted coup on 1 February 2021. Analysis of the situation under the civilian government (April 2016 – January 2021) was conducted between 1 November 2020 and 31 January 2021 whereas the analysis of the situation after the illegal attempted coup was conducted between 1 November 2022 and 31 December 2022.
Apart from the media reports and other sources related to two different situations, “hate speech” content on social media was not monitored in real-time during the period instead provided by a local research organisation dedicated to monitoring and analyzing “hate speech” on Myanmar’s social media and other platforms. “Hate speech”, human rights policies and standards regarding freedom of expression were discussed with three experts with diverse backgrounds.
This analysis does not present screenshots of the original posts on Facebook and Telegram since it is not a report that focuses on highlighting “hate speech” content on social media. Some organizations and individuals are not named for security reasons. It is important to notice that some media websites and parliamentary websites halted publishing or removed content from the platform due to political situation after 1 February 2021.
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