17 April 2026 By Naing Yarzar Min
YANGON, Myanmar — Domestic media outlets operating under military-issued licenses in Myanmar are facing sharp criticism for failing to address ousted leader Win Myint by his presidential title following his recent release from prison.
Reports from several prominent Yangon-based organisations, including Eleven Media Group, One News, and Popular News, referred to the democratically elected leader simply as “U Win Myint,” omitting both his “President” and “Former President” honorifics.
The omission has sparked an outcry among the public and veteran journalists, who see it as a blatant example of the shrinking space for press freedom under the military junta.
“If they aren’t brave enough to use ‘President,’ they could at least use ‘Former President’,” a Yangon-based journalist with over a decade of experience told MPA. “When those who are supposed to speak the truth are paralyzed by fear, the public’s right to know the truth becomes a distant dream.”
The military’s own announcement regarding the amnesty added to the controversy. Official state media referred to the leader as “Inmate Win Myint from Taungoo Prison,” a move described by locals as “disrespectful and petty.”
The climate for journalists in Myanmar has become increasingly perilous since the 2021 coup. Many outlets have had their licenses revoked, and dozens of reporters remain behind bars. For those still operating legally within the country, a tightrope walk between reporting the news and avoiding the junta’s wrath has become a daily reality.
Kyaw Zaw Linn, Editor-in-Chief of Eleven Media Group, recently acknowledged these limitations in an editorial, stating that under current conditions, media outlets cannot enjoy the same freedoms provided by the 2008 Constitution. “We understand that in matters concerning national sovereignty and security, we must be cautious,” he wrote.
Only one domestic outlet, Sandardain, was noted for continuing to use the title “Former President” in its coverage of the amnesty.
President Win Myint remains a deeply symbolic figure for the pro-democracy movement. He famously refused to resign during the early hours of the February 2021 coup, despite threats from military officers. His refusal to step down effectively denied the military a veneer of constitutional legitimacy, an act of defiance that continues to haunt the junta’s efforts to gain international recognition.
As Win Myint returns to his family after years in captivity, the debate over how he is addressed highlights the broader struggle for the narrative of Myanmar’s future. While the junta and its aligned media attempt to diminish his role, for many in Myanmar, no amount of censorship can erase his standing as the country’s legitimate head of state.
