In a propaganda campaign that was conducted in Hopong town and the surrounding area, the Pa-O People’s Militia Force (PMF) referred to SHAN and other local media outlets as terrorist organizations.

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The PMF, which operates under the regime and emerged from the Pa-O National Organisation/Pa-O National Army, told local residents last Friday that SHAN and other groups support the People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) fighting against the military regime.

“They told the villagers not to trust the reports of the media groups based in Shan State,” a local from Hopong town told SHAN, asking that his name not be published.

Other media outlets named include Tachileik News Agency, Shwe Phee Myay News Agency, Kanbawza Tai News, Taunggyi Nway Oo Channel, Channel Taunggyi, TGI Support Revolution and Road of Taunggyi.

However, an anonymous male youth, also from Hopong town, said that all these media groups honestly reported on the revolution to overthrow the dictatorship. “They (PMF) are oppressing the villagers and the Shan media have published truthful reports about the revolution.”

The youth said that the armed Pa-O group has put defamatory stickers about the media outlets in restaurants and at intersections in the town.

According to the PDFs, the PMF supported the Burma Army during the conflict against the groups in southern Shan State.