Interviews

In the unfolding Spring Revolution against the military coup of February 1, Ei Thinzar Maung has emerged as a fierce political activist and a symbol of public resistance. Her fiery oratory and intelligent analyses won over the public’s heart and made her a leader for the people to follow. However, such dedication comes with a great price. “I fear for my life. And I know they will kill me if I ever get arrested”, Ei Thinzar Maung revealed in a conversation with CFWIJ’s Katarzyna Mierzejewska. “Everyone is fearful of being arrested, abducted, tormented, or even executed on the street because the security troops are killing wantonly day and night, on the streets or inside residential homes”, she says. Ei Thinzar Maung is currently on the military regime’s wanted list of activists.

More than a month after an orchestrated coup against the country's democratically elected government, the military steadily extends its crackdown on civil liberties and press freedom. A staggering number of journalists face detentions, endure physical abuse, and are under pervasive surveillance. “There are not many journalists left in Yangon or Mandalay”, says Naw Betty Han, a female journalist at Frontier Myanmar. In the face of growing persecution, journalists flee their communities, operate in hiding, and work undercover. Some try freelancing, others decide to put their reporting on hold as the pressure is unbearable.

Amidst the current clashes in Myanmar between the military and protestors, journalists and activists are under severe threats. Given the incredibly tense situation, it is very difficult to get information out of Myanmar, as most journalists and activists find themselves in hiding. The Coalition For Women In Journalism spoke to multiple journalists who fear being targeted and are unable to report it.

Crystal Tai is a Chinese-Canadian journalist based in Hong Kong. She covers cultural criticism. Our Founding Director Kiran Nazish had a chat with Crystal, when the two met in Vancouver. Kiran asked Crystal about her work in Hong Kong and South Korea, particularly covering the Hong Kong protests, how they unfolded and evolved. In the conversation about Crystal’s work in Korea, the two stumbled upon the country’s misogyny problem, the #MeToo movement, K-pop, the K-beauty industries, and facing discrimination as an ethnic Chinese.

Mirelis Morales Tovar es una periodista venezolana. Actualmente reside rn Perú. Mirelis escribe sobre migración, derechos de la mujer y derechos humanos. Habló con Katia Mierzejewska de CFWIJ sobre su experiencia como reportera independiente trabajando en temas delicados en Perú y cómo su trabajo ha cambiado durante la pandemia. La entrevista es parte de la campaña creada por CFWIJ para los 16 Días de Activismo contra la Violencia de Género.

Mirelis Morales Tovar is a venezuelan journalist, currently based in Peru. She covers migration, women’s rights and human rights. She spoke to CFWIJ’s Katia Mierzejewska about her experience as a freelance female reporter working on sensitive issues in Peru and how her work has changed during the pandemic. The interview is a part of of the campaign created by CFWIJ focussing on the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

Investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed when a bomb was remotely detonated underneath her car in October 2017. This murder plunged Malta into turmoil. Three years on, her family is still searching for answers and continues their quest for justice. CFWIJ Engagement Coordinator Katarzyna Mierzejewska spoke to Daphne’s sister and member of The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation, Corinne Vella, about Daphne, the investigation and the growing hostile climate for press freedom.