Arakan news outlet calls for release of female reporter taken by AA

By Admin 23 Sep 2025

DMG Newsroom

23 September 2025, Maungdaw

The Border News Agency (BNA), a news outlet in Arakan State, has called for the release of female journalist Mudra, who was taken for questioning by the Arakan Army's intelligence unit.

Mudra, a reporter for BNA based in Maungdaw, Arakan State, was taken from her home in Maungdaw Township by AA intelligence agents at around 11 a.m. on September 20, claiming to have questions.

"She was taken from her home in Maungdaw for questioning. It has been over 24 hours since AA intelligence agents took her away. Also, be aware that she is a woman," said Ko Kaung Myat Naing, BNA's Editor-in-Chief.

Mudra, who was taken away by AA intelligence, was reportedly met by family members on September 22.

Family members said they learned that she had been brought in for questioning regarding the news item "Ethnic Mro children in Thihoaye Village, Maungdaw Township, needing school supplies," which was published by BNA on September 9.

Ko Kaung Myat Naing said that it is the AA's responsibility to release reporter Mudra after concluding their questioning of her.

"If the Arakan Army is a law-abiding organisation, those who took her from her home would have the responsibility to question her and then return her home," he said. "The Arakan Army has not said that she was captured. If the Arakan Army's intelligent agents really captured her, the world will judge their actions, their record. Their actions will determine their future."

BNA issued a statement on September 22 stating that it hopes the relevant parties will be able to resolve any misunderstandings regarding the journalist Mudra. Some journalists in Arakan State believe that her abduction may have been a misunderstanding.

"The fourth estate is like a bridge between the people and the government. Journalists are supposed to be people-centred, impartial, and stand up for the truth and the vulnerable. It is understood that the BNA journalist was taken by ULA/AA for questioning. This may be a misunderstanding between the government and the journalist," said Thein Zaw (Maungdaw) aka Thant Myat Khaing, a freelance journalist in Arakan State.

DMG has contacted ULA/AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha for more details about the detention of reporter Mudra.

The BNA statement said that the family members are concerned about Mudra and are appealing for her return on humanitarian grounds and in accordance with international law.

More than 200 journalists have been arrested in Myanmar in the four-plus years since the 2021 military coup, and as of January 25, 2025, 43 journalists were still imprisoned, according to the Independent Press Council Myanmar (IPCM).

Myanmar ranked 169th out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).