AP delivers powerful multiformat coverage of fast-moving Myanmar coup

By The ASSOCIATED PRESS

Early in the morning of Feb. 1, AP’s Yangon bureau alerted colleagues in the Bangkok regional hub of rumors that lawmakers and other elected political leaders had been arrested.

With communication lines down in the capital Naypyitaw, the seat of government, confusion gripped other parts of the country, but an alert went out to say there were reports of a coup underway. AP was quick to file photos and video footage showing the mood in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city.

About two hours after AP first learned of the rumors,Myanmar’s military TV announced that the military had taken power for a year,and another alert went out. More still and video images moved from Myanmar showing people queueing up at ATM machines to withdraw cash, and supporters of the military traveling around Yangon.

Ap 21040355756434 — Police officers block protesters on a road in Mandalay, Myanmar, Feb. 9, 2021. Demonstrators in major cities were defying a ban by Myanmar’s new military rulers on public gatherings of five or more people, intended to crack down on public protests against the military takeover. – AP Photo

Ap 21032423519956 — A car and motorcycles drive on a nearly deserted highway in Naypyitaw, capital of Myanmar, Feb. 1, 2021. Myanmar military television announced that the military was taking control of the country for one year, while reports said many of the country’s senior politicians including State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi had been detained. – AP Photo

Ap 21034342494821 — A convoy of army vehicles patrols the streets in Mandalay, Myanmar, Feb. 3, 2021, two days after Myanmar’s military took over the civilian government of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup over allegations of fraud in November’s elections. – AP Photo

Ap 21039256501170 — Armed riot police assemble near protesters in Naypyitaw, the capital of Myanmar, Feb. 8, 2021. – AP Photo

Ap 21039524940208 — Protesters in Mandalay, Myanmar, oppose the country’s military coup, Feb. 8, 2021. – AP Photo

Ap 21035447941668 — People beat pots and pans as they participate in a symbolic act of civil disobedience against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, Feb. 4, 2021. – AP Photo

Ap 21036461931849 — People give roses to police as four arrested activists were making a court appearance in Mandalay, Myanmar, Feb. 5, 2021. As resistance to the country’s military coup swelled, hundreds of students and teachers took to Myanmar’s streets to demand the military hand power back to elected politicians. – AP Photo

Ap 21040057989062 — Protesters on motorcycles flash three-fingered salutes during a demonstration in Mandalay, Myanmar, Feb. 6, 2021, against the Feb. 1 military coup. – AP Photo

Ap 21038354715312 — Protesters march towards the direction of Sule Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, Feb. 7, 2021. Thousands of people in Myanmar’s biggest city rallied against the military takeover, demanding the release of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, whose elected government was toppled by the army that also imposed an internet blackout. – AP Photo

Ap 21038390042967 — A man addresses protesters who gathered near Yangon City Hall in Yangon, Myanmar, Feb. 7, 2021. Thousands of people rallied against the country’s military takeover and demanded the release of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, whose elected government was toppled by the army that also imposed an internet blackout. – AP Photo

Ap 21040183942265 — Protesters against Myanmar’s new military regime flash the three-fingered salute, a symbol of resistance, during a protest in Mandalay, Myanmar, Feb. 9, 2021. – AP Photo

Ap 21039206946881 — Protesters carry images of deposed State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint in Mandalay, Myanmar, Feb. 8, 2021, a week after the country’s military takeover. – AP Photo

Ap 21039217624752 — A protester holds a placard with an image of Myanmar military Commander in Chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing during a demonstration in Mandalay, Myanmar, Feb. 8, 2021. Protest against Myanmar’s 1-week-old military government swelled rapidly as opposition to the coup grew increasingly bold. – AP Photo

Ap 21040352822397 — Protesters display placards with a defaced image of Myanmar military Commander in Chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing while calling for the release of detained Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi during a protest in Mandalay, Myanmar, Feb. 9, 2021. – AP Photo

Ap 21039249748300 — A police truck directs a water cannon at a crowd of protesters in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Feb. 8, 2021. Confrontations between the authorities and demonstrators over Myanmar’s week-old military coup boiled over as police fired water at peaceful protesters in the capital. – AP Photo

Ap 21040284075758 — Protesters regroup after police fired warning shots and directed water cannons at protesters in Mandalay, Myanmar, Feb. 9, 2021. – AP Photo

Ap 21040058689998 — A protester offers flowers and kneels on a road before a police officer in Mandalay, Myanmar, Feb. 6, 2021. Protests against the Feb. 1 military coup were growing despite official efforts to make organizing them difficult or illegal. – AP Photo

Ap 21039517915785 — A protesters flashes the three-fingered protest sign during a march in Mandalay, Myanmar, Feb. 8, 2021. – AP Photo

Through it all, the footage and detailed descriptions of the situation on the ground inside Myanmar were crucial in fleshing out the text story being written by colleagues in Bangkok.

That initial work under difficult conditions set the stage for strong, competitive coverage of a challenging and rapidly evolving story that continues through today. And it is that outstanding work that AP honors with the Best of the Week award.