THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

III.        Partnering with Tech Companies (Platform Accountability) - Foster collaboration between Mekong regional governments/civil society organizations and major social media platform companies—such as Meta (Facebook), TikTok, Telegram, and YouTube—to scale up the use of AI technologies and algorithms to block and mitigate the spread of misinformation in local languages.       IV.        Building Transparency and Credible Communication - Prevent fake news from taking root by ensuring that governments and official bodies release information transparently and without delay. Effectively combat misinformation by supporting the operation and sustainability of standard-compliant, independent media outlets.       V.        Implementing Balanced Legal Frameworks - When enacting legislation against fake news, ensure laws target only those who intentionally spread misinformation with malicious intent. Draft and enforce these measures carefully to avoid impinging on the public's right to freedom of expression or the essential role of independent media.   In summary, public trust in information across the Mekong region can only be restored through a balanced combination of technological, legal, and educational approaches. Furthermore, combating misinformation cannot be achieved by a single nation or entity acting in isolation; it demands a whole-of-society and regional approach. Governments, media organizations, journalists, educators, civil society organizations, youth, digital influencers, tech platforms, and the general public must unite to advance truth, trust, accountability, and resilience within the information ecosystem.   Reference;   (1)      PRESS RELEASE on outcomes of the regional forum (2)      TOCTA_South-East_Asia_2026 (3)      UNODC_Report_Emerging_threats_-_The_intersection_of_criminal_and_ technological _innovation_in_the_use_of_automation_and_AI (4)      Illicit-financial-flows-cyber-enabled-fraud.pdf.coredownload.inline (5)      https://phnompenhpost.com/national/scam-update-cambodia-shuts-605-sites-sends-4147-to-court-in-past-year/ (6)      https://www.ucanews.com/news/laos-says-a-crackdown-on-scam-compounds-is-underway/114285 (7)      https://e.vnexpress.net/news/crime/malicious-phone-call-costs-hcmc-woman-72-000-4728615.html (8)      https://www.aseanwonk.com/p/china-lancang-mekong-cooperation-scams-2025 (9)      https://www.atlantis-press.com/proceedings/essc-25/126022420 (10)    https://qa.thailand.go.th/issue-focus-detail/thailand-declares-crackdown-on-cybercrime-and-transnational-crime-networks-a-national-agenda (11)    https://www.gnlm.com.mm/illegal-immigrants-handed-over-to-relevant-authorities/ MOI News Application အား အောက်ပါ link တွင် Download ပြုလုပ်နိုင်ပါသည်- For Andriod https://shorturl.at/uK23k For IOS https://rb.gy/vgdhqc Subscribe to Myanmar Newspaper https://t.me/myanmarnewspaper Subscribe to The Global New Light of Myanmar https://t.me/gnlmon Subscribe to MOI https://t.me/iprdrnd View to mtube Video Streaming Platform https://mtube.gov.mm

The primary function of this network is to serve as a secure real-time information exchange and technical response platform (Regional Hub) among regional countries. Through the network, law enforcement agencies, financial regulators, tech companies, and social media platforms must collaborate to rapidly share suspicious information and early-warning data. Additionally, by sharing and integrating deepfake detection tools, digital watermarking, and forensic metadata analysis, illegally generated fake news and videos can be blocked and removed in a timely manner.   Furthermore, this network should aim to enhance regional legal coordination, capacity building, and public technological resilience. Laws must be harmonized and cross-border cooperation standards established among Mekong countries to effectively prosecute AI-enabled threats, forged documents, and fake identity creations. Investigators and front-line officers should be empowered with advanced digital forensic tools. Simultaneously, to reduce victimhood among the regional public, continuous regional digital and AI literacy campaigns should be launched to educate communities on scam patterns and tell-tale signs utilized by criminal gangs, thereby building community resilience.     To strengthen information verification capabilities and technical influence when establishing the Mekong-Lancang Information Integrity Network, primary participants must include independent fact-checking organizations, independent news media, and Media and Information Literacy (MIL) civil society organizations (CSOs) across the Mekong-Lancang region (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China). These organizations serve as key pillars capable of directly verifying and exposing circulating fake news, misinformation, and scam patterns on the ground.   To enhance technical verification capabilities across local languages and quickly take down misinformation, the participation of major social media and tech companies (Big Tech Platforms) such as Meta (Facebook), TikTok, Telegram, Google, and Baidu is vital. Additionally, technocrats from regional IT research centers and universities must join to develop AI and Machine Learning-based verification tools.   For long-term network sustainability, policy support, and international coordination, UN agencies (e.g., UNESCO, UNODC), ASEAN information bodies (COCI), non-governmental organizations supported by Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (LMC) initiatives, and international donor organizations must participate. These entities can drive financial and technical cooperation to prevent cross-border crime and misinformation while maintaining the network's editorial independence.   In order to effectively respond to the growing threat of fake news and misinformation (Disinformation & Misinformation) spreading online—which poses a major challenge to social stability and public trust in the Mekong regional countries—and to rebuild public confidence, the following strategic measures are recommended to be implemented jointly:        I.        Strengthening Fact-Checking Infrastructure - Encourage the growth of independent fact-checking organizations free from government influence and ensure their verifications are easily accessible to the general public. Establish a Regional Fact-Checking Network within the Mekong region to collaboratively verify cross-border misinformation in real time.       II.        Enhancing Media and Digital Literacy - Foster stronger public awareness and digital resilience, particularly among youth, students, rural communities, and vulnerable groups. To improve their ability to verify news before believing or sharing it, systematically integrate Digital Literacy and methods for analyzing fake news/disinformation into school curricula. Furthermore, promote public awareness to cultivate a "Think Before You Share" habit among social media users to double-check unverified info prior to sharing.

When analyzing losses due to cybercrimes in the Mekong regional countries, a recent UNODC release reported financial losses caused by online scam syndicates exceeding 116 million USD in the year 2025 alone. Furthermore, these scam syndicates utilize fake online information for fraud as well as modern forms of human trafficking.   Victims lured into regional scam operations are promised high salaries, persuaded to cross borders, and forced into online gambling gangs and various forms of online fraud. Some victims endure torture and must pay substantial ransoms to gain freedom. Individuals from at least 80 countries and territories have been found in Mekong scam compounds, with recruitment networks documented operating through transit hubs in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.   Online Scam and Fake News/Disinformation are fundamentally linked, with online scams utilizing fake news/disinformation as a weapon. Online scams are crimes that use deceptive technology and fake information to misinform, panic, or defraud the public for financial gain or personal data theft.   As described above, these consequences cause socio-economic losses for the people in Mekong regional countries. The proliferation of cyber-enabled fraud and AI-generated fake news and misinformation inflicts severe and dangerous impacts beyond simple financial loss, affecting social, psychological, economic, and political stability.   Ninety-eight percent of Deepfakes, an AI-driven disinformation technology, consist of non-consensual sexual imagery, with 99 percent targeting women. Criminals obtain photos of ordinary women from social media and use AI to generate sexual images for widespread AI-driven sextortion.   Additionally, online scam centers lure international youth with fake high-paying job posts on social media, traffic them across borders, and force them to work up to 14 hours a day in scam compounds. Synthetic identities created using AI pose severe risks of completely disrupting banks' Know Your Customer (KYC) systems, worsening money laundering and fraud. Furthermore, SMEs and major financial firms suffer business disruptions and data leaks from ransomware attacks.   The spread of fake videos using AI severely damages public trust in official government-citizen communications. Criminal syndicates freely use illegal AI chatbots to overcome language barriers, automatically generating and mass-sending accurate fake messages in local languages, posing major threats to national security and law enforcement systems.   Therefore, reaffirming the statement made by Cambodian Minister of Information H.E. Neth Pheaktra during the Zero Fake News Campaign (Phase - 2) event in June 2026: "Information integrity is the foundation of public trust; public trust is the foundation of peace and social order; and peace and social order are the foundation of sustainable development for our country, our region, and the world," and as part of broader national efforts to promote information integrity, media literacy, responsible journalism, public trust, and digital resilience, establishing the Mekong-Lancang Information Integrity Network is recommended to continue driving the "Say No to Fake News" campaign.   Due to the advancement of AI and Deepfake technologies in the region, establishing the Mekong-Lancang Information Integrity Network is urgently needed. Currently, scam compounds in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos utilize real-time deepfake video overlays like "AIFace," voice cloning, and AI fake profiles to impersonate government officials, law enforcement agencies, and prominent business figures for widespread online scams and sextortion. Criminals also leverage Generative AI to create fake video clips of national leaders advertising fraudulent investments, eroding public trust in official government communications and information systems. Therefore, rapidly establishing this network as a regional framework is essential to systematically counter digital deception, fake news, and misinformation.

According to a report jointly published on November 9, 2023, by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Egmont Group, and INTERPOL, six patterns of Cyber-Enabled Fraud (CEF) were identified as follows:   (1)         Business Email Compromise (BEC) Fraud BEC fraud involves sending fake emails to victims mimicking their clients or suppliers, deceiving them into transferring funds to new payment accounts. In this type of fraud, criminal syndicates have shifted to using corporate bank accounts as first-layer accounts instead of individual bank accounts to make detection more difficult. Stolen funds are rapidly transferred internationally; for instance, cash is withdrawn through mule accounts in Ireland, and through Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML), pharmaceuticals, clothing, and electronics are purchased from European or Chinese companies and shipped to affiliate companies in Nigeria to launder the money.   (2)         Phishing Fraud using Fake Apps and Websites Phishing fraud deceives victims using fake websites or applications to steal their personal information, bank details, and login credentials, subsequently draining money from the victim's accounts or opening new accounts to execute illicit transactions. Individual money mule accounts are commonly used as the first layer in this scheme. In modern phishing, criminals trick victims into installing Remote Access Tools on their computers or phones, opening crypto accounts at Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) in the victim's name to launder money. Furthermore, stolen funds are used to purchase "Coins" on social networks and live-streaming platforms, transferred as virtual gifts to other accounts, and converted back into real currency to erase the money trail.   (3)     Impersonation Fraud of Government Officials and Acquaintances (Social Media and Telecommunication Impersonation Fraud) In this pattern, criminal groups contact victims via phone or social media apps, impersonating government officials, family members, or friends to exploit emotions and deceive victims into transferring urgent funds or granting control of bank accounts. Individual mule accounts are also typically used in the first stage to receive funds.   (4)     Online Trading and Investment Platform Fraud This fraud uses fake advertisements or online advisors to entice people into investing fiat currency or virtual assets in non-existent or deceitful online investment/trading platforms. This scheme is linked to large-scale money laundering networks and primarily uses shell company accounts as the first layer.   (5)      Online Romance Fraud In Romance Fraud, criminals take time on social media to build intimacy and trust with victims, pretending to be romantic partners to request money transfers under various pretexts. This fraud frequently merges with investment fraud, known as "Pig butchering," where victims are groomed to deposit savings into fraudulent crypto trading platforms. Even after victims realize they have been scammed, criminals impersonating lawyers or police officers offer to help recover the funds, demanding additional fees to perpetrate secondary fraud. Monies obtained are laundered through mule accounts; some victims not only get defrauded but unwittingly hand over bank account details, becoming exploited as money mules themselves.   (6)      Employment Scams This fraud posts fake high-paying job opportunities on social media platforms to lure victims, deceiving them into making advance payments under the guise of security deposits or pre-purchasing goods to boost platform sales. This scheme has grown directly linked to human trafficking; cybercriminal gangs lure victims with lucrative jobs, traffic them across borders, detain them, and force them to work in online call centers, industrially targeting citizens of other countries with employment scams. Furthermore, criminals exploit digital technology to buy digital IDs, opening numerous bank accounts without the victims' knowledge to rapidly split, transfer, and launder funds obtained from employment fraud.

According to figures released by the Secretariat of the Commission for Contending Technology Crimes (CCTC), the Cambodian government conducted investigations and raids on 751 sites suspected of operating scams between July 2025 and July 31, 2026, closing 605 of them to prevent further illegal activities. From July 2025 to July 2026, Cambodian authorities deported and repatriated 21,666 foreign nationals from 38 countries, with citizens of China, Vietnam, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and India making up the majority. Law enforcement authorities submitted 388 criminal cases involving 4,147 suspects to the courts. Vietnam   According to data from Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security, losses caused by online financial fraud in Vietnam in 2025 exceeded 8 trillion Vietnamese Dong (over 304 million USD). Concurrently, a report by the National Cybersecurity Association stated that approximately 552,000 cyberattacks hit domestic information systems in 2025. Up to 52.3% of government departments, organizations, and businesses were impacted by cyberattacks during 2025.   Over the past three years, more than 30 cases related to the illegal trading and misuse of data were investigated and acted upon. These incidents led to the leak of over 160 million data records across various fields. Cybercrime threatens not only financial loss but also trust in digital systems and the national digital transformation process.   According to investigations, a January 2026 report by VnEconomy revealed that suspects recruited job seekers via social networks who then illegally crossed borders and used apps such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Zara, or GAP to scam elderly individuals, online sellers, and people with lower tech literacy.   Laos   Authorities in Laos initiated crackdowns on organized crime syndicates operating human trafficking networks and scam compounds, reporting the arrest of nearly 4,500 people in the first six months of this year.   Official media reported that Vientiane police arrested 122 people during a final coordinated raid on 7 houses on July 11.   The Laotian Times reported that the detained suspects included citizens of China, Malaysia, Brazil, Myanmar, Uruguay, and Pakistan, adding that this was "part of Laos's ongoing crackdown on cybercrime and online scam networks."   Minister of Public Security General Vanthong Kongmany reviewed the progress of implementing measures under Prime Minister's Order No. 32 and related directives aimed at combating internet-based crimes and illegal online gambling. Authorities reported that from January to mid-June 2026, law enforcement agencies successfully broke up 20 electronic scam operations and detained 2,652 suspects, including 780 women, across 14 nationalities.   Thailand   Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, during a joint press conference with the Royal Thai Police at Government House on June 22, 2026, announced a crackdown on cybercrime, telecom fraud, and cross-border nominee networks as part of a national-level initiative.   From October 2025 to June 2026, the Online Scam Operations Center and associated police units assisted 862 victims and prevented losses exceeding 82 million baht. Additionally, over 351,000 illegal mule accounts were closed, over 3.6 billion baht in illicit funds were frozen, over 29,000 suspects were arrested, and arrest warrants were issued for over 70 network leaders. Thanks to these efforts, online crime incidents were reduced by 69.2% and financial losses by 87.3%.   To strengthen data coordination and provide rapid assistance to the public, the government established a national steering committee and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among 15 key organizations, including the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), and the financial and telecommunications sectors.   Patterns of Cybercrime Commission

These online scams and online gambling are crimes that pose a National Security Threat; furthermore, these crimes are designated as offenses committed against the general public, and various countries are severely suffering the resulting outcomes and adverse effects. Myanmar, on its part, is giving serious priority to operations fighting against online scams and online gambling that threaten the international community and the whole world as a national duty. To ensure that online scams and online gambling endangering the entire world cannot take root at all within Myanmar, active efforts are being made in coordination with domestic forces as well as neighboring governments.   Socio-Economic Impacts Caused by Online Scams in Mekong Regional Countries   Myanmar   According to statements released by the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Ministry of Information, a total of 14,760 foreign nationals who entered illegally into Myawaddy Township were detained between January 30, 2025, and August 15, 2026. Government officials completed investigations for all these foreign nationals and systematically deported 13,820 of them to their respective countries via Thailand in accordance with legal procedures.   Among the remaining 940 foreign nationals to be handed over, 724 foreign nationals were prosecuted under Section 3(1)/13(1) of the Myanmar Immigration (Provisional Provisions) Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law; thus, it has been reported that the remaining 216 foreign nationals are ready to be transferred to their respective countries and are being well taken care of in detention.   In Myanmar, online scams are mainly operated by foreigners in border regions where ethnic armed groups are located. The Myanmar government is taking firm and decisive actions against online scams by forming national-level committees, establishing the Central Center for Combating Online Scams, setting up the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) mobile phone registration system, enacting cyber security and anti-money laundering laws, enhancing cooperation with private organizations, and conducting public awareness programs. Furthermore, cooperation is being carried out not only with China but also within the Mekong-Lancang framework. In addition, on May 14, 2026, the "Draft Anti-Online Scam Law" was drafted and opened for public suggestions.   As a result of these measures, over 71,000 foreign nationals involved in online scams from 58 countries were transferred back to their home countries from online scam centers in Myanmar's border areas. Additionally, over 600 buildings and thousands of communication devices used for these operations near the Myanmar-Thailand border were destroyed. Cybercrimes are rising in Myanmar, and they are connected not only to online scams but also to human trafficking, narcotics, forced labor, and money laundering. In combating these challenges, strengthening international cooperation involving all countries and relevant organizations, including UNODC and INTERPOL, is vital, and there is a need to further step up information sharing, technical assistance, capacity building, as well as bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation.   Cambodia   According to an August 18, 2026 news report by The Phnom Penh Post, the Cambodian government closed over 600 locations/facilities connected to technology-driven scams, took action against hundreds of casinos, and sent over 4,100 suspects to court during a year-long nationwide crackdown by Cambodian authorities. This indicates that the government's effort to dismantle cross-border scam networks is not a temporary campaign, but an ongoing priority in maintaining law and order.

Impact of Online Crimes, Fake News, and Misinformation on the Socio-Economic Lives of the Mekong-Lancang Regional Countries   By : Zin Oo,Ministry of Information,Myanmar   In today's era, with the rapid advancement and proliferation of digital systems, countries in the Mekong-Lancang region—like nations across the globe—are facing the scourge of cybercrimes, online scams, online gambling, and the spread of fake news and misinformation utilized through online technology via communication networks such as artificial intelligence and mobile communications. Particularly in the Mekong-Lancang regional countries, including Myanmar, cybercrimes and online scam gambling have evolved into transnational crimes, negatively impacting both the public in the Mekong region and diplomatic relations between nations. Fraud is defined as intentionally deceiving another person to secure a gain for oneself or another party. According to the UNHCR's definition, fraud can involve concealment, deceit, misrepresentation, omission of facts, and other elements. Similarly, online fraud (online scam) refers to the act of deceitfully obtaining money or data from individuals or organizations by utilizing online internet communication networks. In this current era, as technology advances at a rapid pace, a state has been reached where individual citizens' daily socio-economic lives, as well as the operational systems of the entire world, rely on the internet and social media networks. Although numerous benefits such as speed and convenience have been gained through technological progress, undesirable consequences and dangers have simultaneously emerged alongside them.   The prominent categories of crimes committed using the internet online are gambling, fraud, and cybercrimes. Among these offenses, the crime directly threatening the assets, finances, and security of citizens in the Mekong regional countries, including Myanmar, is online fraud. These online crimes are financial and technological offenses that utilize fake news and misinformation as a weapon to destroy the socio-economic lives of people worldwide. Particularly, the issue of online scams—mainly occurring in the Mekong regional countries including Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam—severely threatens the regional nations like a disaster and has reached the level of a security, economic, and human rights threat. The issue of online scams in the Mekong region is no longer merely ordinary financial fraud; it has manifested as a cross-border security threat linked to cybercrime, human trafficking, and money laundering. To effectively suppress and prevent this, there is a need to accelerate information integration, digital awareness, and law enforcement cooperation among regional countries more than ever. Cybercriminals not only fraudulently take citizens' assets, money, and data through various dishonest means, but they are also increasingly threatening and destroying the peaceful socio-economic lives and safety of the public.   Likewise, due to technological advancements, cybercriminals are utilizing more sophisticated methods. They are employing various tactics such as data theft, malware distribution, deception through fake accounts, and creating synthetic video and audio using AI Deepfakes with stolen personal data. Today, the dissemination of misinformation through AI artificial intelligence technology has also become a danger, making it difficult to protect the personal data of digital technology users and highlighting the importance of effectively suppressing and preventing cyber harassment.

(3)  Whole-of-Society Media and Digital Literacy: To enhance the critical thinking skills of youth, students, and citizens residing in border areas, Media and Information Literacy- MIL and Digital Literacy must be comprehensively integrated into school curriculums, lifelong learning programs, and community-based awareness campaigns. (4)  Capacity-Building for Information Actors: To narrow the digital divide among member states, it is crucial to mutually share and support training programs for news media, government spokespersons, content creators, and digital influencers. These capacity-building programs should focus on AI awareness, deepfake detection, international-standard fact-checking technologies, and responsible information sharing. (5)  Enhanced Cooperation with Digital Platforms: To develop frameworks where social media platforms and technology companies collaborate responsibly and accountably with governments and the media, both to reduce the spread of harmful fake news and to promote accurate, official news sources. (6)    Furthermore, as part of the MLC regional cooperation, joint awareness campaigns must be extensively carried out in the spirit of the Zero Fake News Campaign. These initiatives should be driven by powerful slogans such "Verify Before You Share", "Check the Source", "Think Before You Click" and "Responsible Information Sharing Builds Public Trust"   In conclusion, the threat of fake news and misinformation has the potential to devastate not only individuals but every aspect of a nation's sovereignty. Information Integrity has become the fundamental foundation for peace, social order, and sustainable development.   Ultimately, building a Trusted Mekong Information Space depends entirely on the decisive actions of governments, the ethical conduct of the media, the accountability of platforms, and the responsible participation of every citizen driven by a strong sense of national awareness. I strongly urge that only through such whole-of-society strategies can we successfully combat the threat of misinformation and continue to safeguard regional peace, stability, and sustainable development.   MOI News Application အား အောက်ပါ link တွင် Download ပြုလုပ်နိုင်ပါသည်- For Andriod https://shorturl.at/uK23k For IOS https://rb.gy/vgdhqc Subscribe to Myanmar Newspaper https://t.me/myanmarnewspaper Subscribe to The Global New Light of Myanmar https://t.me/gnlmon Subscribe to MOI https://t.me/iprdrnd View to mtube Video Streaming Platform https://mtube.gov.mm

By utilizing AI in fact-checking processes, vast amounts of information can be rapidly cross-checked and verified, enabling real-time responses. Furthermore, government information and public relations mechanisms must strategically integrate AI technologies into their PR operations to effectively monitor rumors and swiftly disseminate accurate news to the public. To achieve this, it is vital to develop proprietary Natural Language Processing- NLP technologies and digital platforms, alongside cultivating tech-savvy human resources. Moreover, establishing a strong practice of utilizing Digital Watermarking and Source Verification to ensure the authenticity of official releases is crucial. For MLC regional countries to quickly deliver factual information during crises, there is a pressing need to establish a Regional Fact-Checking and Rapid Response Mechanism.   Building Public Trust and a Whole-of-Society Approach   Combating fake news cannot be achieved through government and technological efforts alone, it fundamentally requires a Whole-of-Society Approach. Journalists and official information providers must serve as the frontline leaders in this fight against misinformation. Media professionals must strictly uphold their professional ethics, ensuring thorough verification before publication and avoiding sensationalism. Similarly, digital platforms and technology companies must act with Platform Responsibility, actively collaborating to promote accurate and reliable news sources.   To combat today's "Infobesity" (information overload), enhanced digital literacy has become an essential cognitive vaccine for every citizen. In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, simply knowing how to use digital technology is no longer sufficient. It is crucial to possess the ability to verify information sources, critically analyze underlying intentions (Critical Thinking), and clearly distinguish fakes from reality. Therefore, everyone needs comprehensive digital literacy, and it should be integrated from school curriculums to community-based programs. Most importantly, it is also necessary to strategically expand digital awareness campaigns and tailor to local languages and cultures, particularly for citizens in rural and border areas who have limited access to information and are highly vulnerable to fake news. By fostering the active participation of local leaders, youth networks, and civil society organizations in these initiatives, the fight against misinformation can be effectively executed right down to the grassroots level.   Most importantly, the role of youthour Digital Natives-is crucial in the fight against misinformation. While young people are highly tech-savvy, they also need to develop critical thinking skills to accurately analyze and verify information. Therefore, by leveraging youth networks for peer-to-peer education and establishing media literacy clubs in schools and universities, we must nurture young people to become Responsible Digital Citizens who actively combat fake news. Only through such comprehensive approaches can we firmly build long-term public trust and Digital Resilience. Ultimately, every citizen must practice responsible digital behavior and refrain from sharing unverified news.   Strategic Recommendations and Conclusion   To enhance regional information integrity, the following strategic actions should be implemented: (1)  Establishment of a Mekong-Lancang Information Integrity Network: There is an urgent need to implement a regional cooperation network connecting national-level focal points to enable the regular, real-time exchange of misinformation trends, cross-border threats, and early warnings among member countries. (2)  Regional Fact-Checking and Rapid Response Mechanism: To prevent rumors from taking root during natural disasters, emergencies, and sensitive situations, it is necessary to establish rapid response mechanisms capable of conducting real-time information verification and issuing coordinated clarifications.

In today's world, a nation's power and stability depend not only on protecting physical borders but also heavily on digital security. As technology rapidly advances, cybercrimes have evolved in countless ways, deeply penetrating our daily lives. According to the Switzerland-based Cyber Peace Institute, from the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022 to mid-September, nearly 450 cyberattacks were launched against Ukraine and Russia from 57 different countries. The sheer speed and volume of fake news, malicious AI-generated media, irresponsible social media use, and language barriers are now becoming the greatest challenges for countries in our region.   National and Regional Interventions   In responding to these massive and complex challenges, the role of official information providers is vital. Government spokespersons and state-owned media serve as the anchor of trust when defending against information warfare. During crises or sensitive situations, the public often experiences information gaps, which is when rumors easily penetrate. Therefore, rather than relying on reactive responses after fake news spreads, state-owned media and official spokespersons must proactively disclose information, firmly presenting official narratives to both domestic and international audiences. Only through such rapid institutional clarification can the public truly rely on and trust official media.   To ensure rumors do not fill the information gap, relevant departments in Myanmar are issuing accurate news in real-time. By utilizing public relations mechanisms, they are actively distributing precise information to both domestic and international audiences. To combat online fraud, the country is taking decisive actions; establishing Anti-Scam Centres, freezing bank accounts, and cutting off illegal satellite internet connections. Furthermore, to destroy these scam networks at their very root, the Central Equipment Identity Register system (CEIR) is being implemented. This ensures telecommunication security by directly blacklisting and blocking the physical devices used by the scammers.   In combating transnational cybercrimes, the efforts of a single nation are no longer sufficient to overcome the Digital Divide among member states. Regional cooperation for the mutual sharing of technology and resources is absolutely essential. As a result, a special joint Task Force comprising Myanmar, China, and Thailand has been formed and is successfully carrying out operations. To further strengthen these efforts, there is an urgent need to establish the Mekong-Lancang Information Integrity Network as a core regional strategy. This network will facilitate regular information sharing and coordinated responses among nations during times of crisis. Ultimately, only through the practical implementation of such robust cross-border cooperation can we protect regional information integrity and build long-term public trust in state mechanisms.   Tech-driven Responses   The most effective way to counter the threats posed by technology is through technology itself. To foster a healthy and secure online environment, we must actively promote Digital Governance. Furthermore, it is crucial to utilize advanced technological tools for the early detection and monitoring of fake news, while simultaneously activating robust rumor-debunking mechanisms.

Therefore, being digitally illiterate today is like being completely unable to read, write, or do basic math; it severely limits a person's potential in life. To avoid being left behind, both individuals and nations must make strong efforts to adapt. Recognizing this, developed nations and some ASEAN countries such as Singapore and Thailand have already adopted Media and Information Literacy (MIL) as a national strategy. They are systematically integrating it into their school curriculums, starting right from the basic education level. New Threats, Media Toxicity, and Online Scams Today, many countries around the world including those in the Lancang-Mekong region are facing severe Media Toxicity driven by the spread of fake news, misinformation, and hate speech. Malicious and self-serving actors are intentionally exploiting these digital vulnerabilities to divide communities.   Modern social media algorithms often amplify hate speech and extremist views that trigger users' emotions. This system creates Echo Chambers where only like-minded people gather, poisoning racial, religious, and political differences within society. When fake news and hate speech combine, the public loses its ability to reason. This is incredibly dangerous, as it can directly lead to violence and severe social polarization.   While Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers great benefits such as rapidly analyzing data and enhancing media production for public relations its rapid advancement also makes the spread of fake news much more complex. Today's generative tools are trained on massive amounts of data, allowing anyone to easily create texts, photos, and various media formats. This makes it incredibly hard to tell the difference between what is real and what is AI-generated. It blurs the line between facts and opinions, and can even hinder democratic reform processes. Furthermore, while the Beijing Internet Court in China once granted copyright protection for AI-generated works, other organizations have rejected such claims. As a result, digital copyright laws remain highly controversial today.   What is even worse are transnational online scams that misuse technology through Video Clones and Deepfakes. Behind job postings requiring no skills or education, love scams featuring attractive profiles, fake lotteries, and online gambling, lie highly complex webs of deception. The victims of these scams suffer severe physical and mental trauma. Many become victims of human trafficking, forced to work 12 to 14 hours a day. Studies indicate that these online crimes are costing the global economy up to 10.5 trillion US dollars. Furthermore, reports from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and other international organizations warn that these transnational scam syndicates are exploiting digital infrastructure in the Mekong region. This poses a massive threat to both regional security and socio-economic stability.   Furthermore, another major challenge facing countries in the region is the Digital Divide. Fake news spreaders take advantage of the massive gap in internet access and digital literacy between urban centers and rural border areas. They specifically target and deceive communities that have limited access to reliable information. At the same time, these transnational cybercrimes easily bypass the individual legal frameworks of each country. Therefore, the lack of a strong, unified Digital Governance framework across the region creates dangerous legal loopholes, allowing malicious actors to operate freely.

Strengthening Regional Information Integrity and  Countering Misinformation in the Digital Era   Written by Su Wunna Aung   Throughout history, many wars have been fought for power and influence. According to Alvin Toffler’s "Three Waves" theory, warfare has shifted from the manpower-driven First Wave of the agricultural age and the Second Wave of the industrial age. Today, we have evolved into the Third Wave, Information Warfare, which is based on precision and impact. The main requirement for modern warfare is no longer sheer mass, but technology, knowledge, and a compact workforce to manage them.   Information is the lifeblood of any operation, acting as the "arrowhead" that guides all human thoughts and actions. Today, when combined with digital platforms, a single click of the 'Share' button can spread information globally in seconds. Because of this, those seeking to dominate a region for self-interest no longer need to physically invade it. Instead, they use soft power and technology to influence and control the public. In this situation, developing nations that are protecting their stability and sovereignty are the most vulnerable to these one-sided media threats.   Even some major international news agencies are losing global public trust as they broadcast biased, heavily edited news driven by political grudges and personal prejudices. For example, before the 2021 riots in the United States, the BBC heavily edited a speech by President Trump. They altered the broadcast to make it seem like he incited the Capitol attack, putting words in his mouth that he never actually said. Because of this, BBC executives themselves had to apologize directly to President Trump. There were also reports that Trump sent a threatening letter demanding one billion dollars in damages for their biased coverage. This case clearly shows that fake news is not just a single country's problem, but a shared regional and cross-border challenge. Therefore, it highlights the need for media organizations to cooperate with accountability to ensure that accurate information reaches the public.   This is especially true for the Lancang-Mekong (MLC) region, which is experiencing rapid growth not only in economic and infrastructure corridors but also in internet usage and mobile connectivity. However, alongside this fast-paced digital transformation, the cross-border connectivity among regional countries has created new opportunities for malicious actors. Taking advantage of diverse languages and cultures, online scam syndicates and fake news creators can easily threaten the internal affairs, stability, and social harmony of one nation from outside its borders.   The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Digital Vulnerabilities   We have now entered the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), rapidly shifting towards a digital landscape that integrates smart technologies, automation, and data exchange. According to Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, access to information is a fundamental human right. As a result, over 135 countries have widely enacted Right to Information Acts. However, as the ability to access information expands across digital platforms, digital vulnerabilities have inevitably followed.   Because these technological changes are happening so fast, traditional education systems can no longer keep up, making it necessary to continuously learn about new technologies. Since we must rely heavily on the internet for this learning, Digital Literacy has become absolutely essential for everyone. If digital literacy is weak, people lack the ability to critically analyze information and easily fall victim to fake news, rumors, and online scams. For example, we see many cases today where blindly sharing fake news has sparked racial and religious conflicts, ultimately tearing entire communities apart.

၂၀၂၆ ခုနှစ်၊ ဩဂုတ်လ ၃၁ ရက်နေ့ထုတ် The Global New Light of Myanmar သတင်းစာအား အောက်ပါ Link တွင် ဝင်ရောက်ဖတ်ရှု၊ Download ပြုလုပ်နိုင်ပါသည်- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S1IPVyikXcyVlnDtIlQNNtlQ8hg-4DgN/view?usp=drive_link

Troops, residents clear Falam hospital debris TROOPS and local communities have collaboratively cleared debris from Falam People’s Hospital after several facilities were damaged during violent incidents. The cleanup covers damaged wards, the X-ray and laboratory departments, the oxygen plant, the old surgical and maternity wards, the old orthopaedics ward, and medical storage rooms. Officials also inspected the clearup and reconstruction efforts in Falam. Similar community-led cleaning activities were carried out in Tiddim and Tonzang, involving departmental staff, security personnel and residents. MNA/KZL #TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar MOI News Application အား အောက်ပါ link တွင် Download ပြုလုပ်နိုင်ပါသည်- For Andriod https://shorturl.at/uK23k For IOS https://rb.gy/vgdhqc Subscribe to Myanmar Newspaper https://t.me/myanmarnewspaper Subscribe to The Global New Light of Myanmar https://t.me/gnlmon Subscribe to MOI https://t.me/iprdrnd View to mtube Video Streaming Platform https://mtube.gov.mm

Troops, residents clear Falam hospital debris

MoL Union Minister discusses family remittance system REMITTING family remittances by migrant workers working abroad through official channels can help improve the socioeconomic well-being of their families, while also contributing to increased foreign exchange earnings for the country and supporting national development. Therefore, licensed overseas employment agencies are urged to cooperate with a sense of responsibility and accountability to ensure that workers remit their earnings through official channels, Union Minister for Labour U Khin Maung Soe said during a meeting with managing directors of licensed overseas employment agencies that are sending workers to foreign countries. The meeting took place at the Myawady Media Centre in Yangon yesterday morning. During the meeting, the Union minister said that, since 2023, agreements have been signed between agencies and workers to ensure that 25 per cent of each worker’s salary, sent as family remittances, is remitted through official channels to their family members in Myanmar. He urged the agencies to cooperate responsibly and conscientiously in ensuring that workers send their family remittances through official channels, and coordinated and addressed the matters raised by the attendees. Moreover, meetings have been held with stateowned banks holding Authorized Dealer (AD) licences. The Ministry of Labour has been coordinating with the Central Bank of Myanmar to obtain accurate data on remittances sent by workers abroad and to establish an easy and convenient remittance system. He also stated that the Ministry of Labour, the Central Bank of Myanmar, relevant banks and licensed overseas employment agencies must cooperate to successfully implement the Family Remittance Management System (FRMS). The Union minister also coordinated and addressed the matters raised at the meeting. MNA/KTZH #TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar MOI News Application အား အောက်ပါ link တွင် Download ပြုလုပ်နိုင်ပါသည်- For Andriod https://shorturl.at/uK23k For IOS https://rb.gy/vgdhqc Subscribe to Myanmar Newspaper https://t.me/myanmarnewspaper Subscribe to The Global New Light of Myanmar https://t.me/gnlmon Subscribe to MOI https://t.me/iprdrnd View to mtube Video Streaming Platform https://mtube.gov.mm