From Youth Dialogue to One-Sided Narrative: DVB ‘Youth Voice’ Talkshow and the Portrayal of Arakan
A recent episode of DVB’s Youth Voice Gen-Z talkshow, themed around coexistence and conflict in Rakhine State, has drawn attention for the way its discussion unfolded and the narrative it ultimately presented. While introduced as a platform for open youth dialogue, the program concluded with a discussion that focused heavily on criticism of the Arakan Army (AA) and Arakan political actors, raising questions about balance and representation.
The talkshow featured participants presented as voices from different communities. However, the structure of the discussion resulted in extended commentary critical of Arakan actors, while perspectives addressing security concerns, local governance realities, and the experiences of Rakhine civilians were limited. Several key issues affecting Arakan communities, including armed threats, displacement, and administrative breakdown following Myanmar’s political collapse, were largely absent from the conversation.
Throughout the episode, allegations and narratives related to the AA were introduced without parallel scrutiny or contextual explanation. Statements were allowed to stand without challenge, while historical and political complexities surrounding Rakhine State were not explored in depth. The absence of discussion on broader conflict dynamics contributed to a simplified framing of a long-standing and multifaceted situation.
The program also avoided addressing sensitive but central topics such as demographic pressure, cross-border militancy, and local security administration, despite these being widely discussed issues among communities on the ground. As a result, the debate shifted away from coexistence toward a narrow focus that reflected only part of the reality in Arakan.
The episode highlights ongoing concerns surrounding media platforms that present themselves as neutral forums while failing to ensure balanced representation. In contexts as fragile as Rakhine State, the way discussions are framed plays a critical role in shaping public understanding, regional relations, and the prospects for meaningful dialogue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhrvoF3jy3c&list=PLMOtbzdh7HlOsvhonpayxelAw9sZ7Q0mE
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