Kyaw Soe Oo (journalist)

Kyaw Soe Oo (Burmese: ကျော်စိုးဦး; pronounced [tɕɔ̀ sʰó ʔú]; born 1988) is a Burmese journalist and media personality best known for his work with People Media. He is recognized for his investigative reporting on Myanmar’s political crisis, human rights issues, and military affairs, and he has become a prominent voice in independent media during times of political upheaval.

Kyaw Soe Oo
ကျော်စိုးဦး
Born	1988 (1988) (age 37) Myanmar (Burma)
Citizenship	Burmese
Occupation(s)	Journalist, Media personality
Years active	2013–present
Employer	People Media
Organization	People Media
Known for	Investigative reporting on Myanmar’s political crisis, human rights issues, and military affairs
Website	People Media's website

Early life and education

Kyaw Soe Oo was born in 1988 in Myanmar (Burma). He arrived in Yangon in 2012 and began his career as a journalist for a weekly news magazine. He then worked as a journalist for an online television station. A few years later, he was promoted to editor. The interviews he had with opposition groups and critics of the National League for Democracy government, which were broadcast by the station , became public interest. Some of these interviews led to the driver of retired General U Shwe Mann filing a case against U Hla Swe, former Minister of Information U Ye Htut, and U Bo Bo Kyaw Nyein under the Citizens' Personal Freedom and Protection Act. The case was dismissed by the Law Office, which ruled that the case was unconstitutional. He remained an editor until the station was renamed People Media. In 2021, he became the station's editor-in-chief. Although details about his early life and formal education remain limited in public records, he developed an early interest in current affairs and journalism. He is believed to have studied communications and political science, which laid the foundation for his career as a reporter in a challenging media environment.

Notable news stories

Kyaw Soe Oo attacked the military's opponents during the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, both through his solo broadcasts and through his People Media, which he runs. His reports have drawn criticism, including on June 2024, broadcast on the Lashio battle, where he said the military should have made a show of shouting loudly, and a 4 July 2024 broadcast on the Battle of Sangku, where he called on the military to bomb the town, saying that the land was still there and that the buildings could be rebuilt. The military also frequently asked tough questions at press conferences aimed at pressuring ethnic armed groups, and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) General Guan Maw even posted on his social media page that he had documented Kyaw Soe Oo's actions, drawing discontent from the opposition.

Career

Kyaw Soe Oo began his journalism career in 2013, initially working with local media outlets before joining People Media. Over the years, he has emerged as one of People Media’s leading reporters. His work focuses on exposing government corruption, documenting military operations, and reporting on human rights abuses, particularly during periods of political crisis.

Coverage and investigations

Kyaw Soe Oo has covered some of the most critical events in recent Myanmar history. His investigative reporting during the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état shed light on the military’s crackdown on dissent and the resulting pro-democracy protests. In his field reporting, he has documented the plight of ethnic minorities and civilians caught in conflict zones, often under dangerous and restrictive conditions. His work has been referenced by international media outlets, contributing to global awareness of the challenges faced by independent journalists in Myanmar.

Awards and recognition

In recognition of his commitment to independent journalism and his coverage of critical issues in Myanmar, Kyaw Soe Oo has received accolades from both local and international press organizations. His reporting has drawn praise from groups such as the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, which have highlighted the risks faced by journalists in the country.

Impact and challenges

Reporting from Myanmar poses significant challenges due to strict censorship, intimidation, and direct threats from state and military actors. Despite these risks, Kyaw Soe Oo has continued to publish detailed and critical reports. His work has helped inform both domestic and international audiences about the state of democracy and human rights in Myanmar, playing an important role in the global discussion on press freedom.

Arrest

Kyaw Soe Oo supports the military, but has been highly critical of some of the actions of the military police. In particular, he was known for his criticism of the police's failure to attend the funeral of Police Chief Nay Lin Hein, who was killed in the Battle of Somprabung in Kachin State on 8 March 2024. He was arrested by the police for this incident. He was initially charged under Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code at Zambuthiri Police Station in Nay Pyi Taw. He was released a few days later without being charged. He was arrested a second time on 9 January 2025 in connection with a news broadcast he had made. Nationalist activists strongly criticized his arrest. People Media's news broadcasts were also suspended during his arrest. He was released a few days later and began presenting news.

Personal life

Kyaw Soe Oo keeps his personal life private. He is known primarily for his dedication to journalism and his efforts to report accurately under extremely challenging conditions. Little information is publicly available regarding his family or personal interests.

See also

• People Media
• 2021 Myanmar coup d'état