Founded in New Delhi, Mizzima Media began with a limited setup, using public phones and fax lines to send stories. In its early years, it slowly grew, gaining a small audience, but the true transformation came over the years with key milestones along the way.

During the recent INMA Asia/Pacific News Media Summit, Soe Myint, editor-in-chief, managing director, and founder of the Myanmar multimedia news organisation, shared his organisation’s journey from its foundation in exile in 1998 to its current status as Myanmar’s most accessed independent media outlet.

Early years in exile 

When Mizzima was founded, Myanmar was under military rule, and Mizzima, like other independent media, had to operate in exile. 

In 2000, the media outlet launched its first Web sites in Burmese and English, a significant achievement at the time. By the early 2000s, Mizzima began publishing a monthly journal in Burmese, distributing it secretly inside Myanmar using couriers and human carriers across border areas. This allowed Mizzima to serve its primary audience — Burmese citizens — despite the oppressive conditions in the country. 

Mizzima’s expansion continued in 2003, when it opened a branch office in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Chiang Mai, being a hub for Burmese exiles, offered a closer geographical connection to Myanmar. These early experiences in exile in both New Delhi and Chiang Mai would later serve Mizzima well when, after the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, they were again forced to operate from outside the country. 

Despite these efforts, for the first decade, Mizzima’s audience remained small. However, a turning point came in 2007 during the Saffron Revolution, when widespread protests erupted in Myanmar. Mizzima’s live blog, which provided real-time updates and reports from citizen journalists, quickly gained popularity. 

The media outlet became a trusted source of real-time information during the protests, marking the beginning of its significant growth in audience.

Return to Myanmar and new challenges 

In 2012, after decades of exile, Mizzima returned to Myanmar as political reforms allowed for greater media freedom. However, upon its return, Mizzima faced new challenges in the form of competition from large media outlets owned by cronies with ties to the military government. These media giants dominated the advertisement market, making it difficult for Mizzima to sustain itself financially.

One of Mizzima’s key strategies was to transition from niche media into a mass media outlet. 

When the government relaxed censorship rules and allowed for weekly and eventually daily print publications, Mizzima was quick to jump into the space, launching its daily newspaper. However, this proved to be an expensive endeavor, especially as the media industry was transitioning globally from print to digital platforms.

Shift to TV and digital media

By 2015, Mizzima made a strategic decision to discontinue its print publications and shift entirely to a TV and digital-based model. 

This shift proved to be the right move in the long term. In 2017, Mizzima was awarded one of five free-to-air satellite TV licenses, which allowed it to further solidify its presence in Myanmar’s media landscape. Despite a crowded TV market, Mizzima carved out a niche for itself through its diversified programming, which included Indian and Thai movies, cooking and travel shows, debates, and discussions.

Mizzima’s strong presence on social media also played a key role in its success. By 2020, Mizzima TV was ranked among the top three channels in the country, and Mizzima launched an updated version of its TV app. Most significantly, 2020 marked the first year Mizzima became a profitable company, driven largely by its coverage of the 2020 general elections in Myanmar.

The impact of the 2021 coup

Mizzima’s progress was disrupted by the military coup in 2021, which undid years of hard work and destroyed its revenue model. Production centers had to be moved outside the country, and staff turnover was significant. 

Despite these challenges, Mizzima continued its commitment to independent journalism, ensuring that it did not miss a single day of broadcasting or publication.

The coup also highlighted Mizzima’s importance to the people of Myanmar. In the weeks following the coup, Mizzima’s Facebook following surged to five million and eventually grew to over 25 million followers — almost half the population of Myanmar. 

In May 2021, Mizzima launched a second free-to-air satellite TV channel, Mizzima+, which combined news with entertainment options to cater to a wider audience.

Expanding media and humanitarian initiatives

Recognising the challenges faced by citizens in accessing news — due to internet blackouts and power outages — Mizzima also began operating a network of FM radio stations in ethnic and regional areas. Additionally, Mizzima launched shortwave (SW) radio in December 2021 to reach more isolated areas. 

Beyond traditional media, Mizzima has expanded its efforts to support Myanmar’s struggle for democracy. In 2022, Mizzima opened the Mizzima Media Training Institute (MMTI) to offer journalism education to Myanmar’s youth, particularly focusing on training citizen journalists. The organisation has also been involved in humanitarian efforts, facilitating aid delivery across the India-Myanmar border, and engaging in diplomatic outreach to raise awareness of the situation in Myanmar. 

From its humble beginnings in exile to becoming the most accessed media outlet in Myanmar, Mizzima’s transformation reflects a commitment to freedom of expression, independent journalism, and the fight for democracy. Now in its 26th year, Mizzima has grown into a powerful voice for the people of Myanmar, providing news, entertainment, and education through a variety of media channels.

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