Free media in Burma still a mixed bag
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 21 2011: Re-calling that freedom of expression or the existence of a free and independent media went up in smoke, after the military seized power and imposed Martial Law in Myanmar in 1962, the State has gagged freedom of speech and the existence of a free and fair media.

Delivering a talk on the subject, "Freedom of Expression and Media in Burma" at Manipur University today, Chief Editor, Soe Myint of Burmese newspaper, Mizzima News, said that things took a turn for the better after the Junta adopted a new Constitution in 2008 .

Under the new Constitution, every citizen was given the right to express his or her views.

However, foreign based media, especially from the Western countries such as BBC and CNN continue to be banned, he said and added that there is also a strict surveillance over internet connections with a number of websites coming under the banned category.

Despite the adoption of a new Constitution, Burma continues to remain isolated from the international community, observed the Chief Editor, who has been living in exile at Delhi for years.

Stating that the media does not have much of an impact on the country, Soe Myint said that only 8 pc of the total population of Burma read newspapers.

The Junta also cracked down on the invasion from the sky, like internets, he said and added that in 1996 and 2002 stringent laws were passed to check and monitor what the people watch.

As of today only 1 pc of the population have access to internet connection.

The Voice Over Internet Protocol and Skype has also been yanked off the air, he informed.

However certain flexibilities have crept in and today with the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, access to internet services is comparatively easier and there are other major sources of news available now.

Soe Myint further said that the major sources of news and information include Mizoma News Agency, Irrawady Magazine, Democratic Voice of Burma, Shan Herald News Agency, Nalingjasa News, Non-Independent News Agency etc.

The Burmese exile added that there are 50 reporters working in his paper, Mizimma.

** Correction to this news item from the Soe Myint, Chief Editor of Burmese newspaper, Mizzima News

The reporter misquoted me in this story.

I did not say that "things took a turn for the better after the Junta adopted a new Constitution in 2008".What I said was though new Constitution talks about right to speak, it puts conditions that restricts freedom of expression.

I quoted a part of 2008 Constitution as follow: "The new Constitution states that every citizen may exercise the rights �to express and publish their convictions and opinions� if they are �not contrary to the laws, enacted for Union security, prevalence of law and order, community peace and tranquility, or public order and morality� .

I also talked about the following points:

(1) Amnesty International says the number of political prisoners as of March 2010 was over 2,200 .

(2) Reporters Without Border in 2010 report says at least 15 journalists are in detention .

(3) Censorship and information controls increased surrounding the 2010 elections .

(4) NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi was released after November elections, and she has called for �people�s network�, using ICTs .

(5) Social media such as Facebook is widely used by the activists inside and outside the country.

(6) The new government announces that publications focusing on sports, entertainment, general knowledge, health, children�s literature, the supernatural and technology are no more required to submit to censorship prior to publishing.

However, News and articles about politics and business will still be subject to the censorship board�s approval.

(7) In his inaugural address to Parliament on March 30, President Thein Sein called for a build-up and modernization of Burma�s armed forces, while also coming out against corruption.

(8) One more thing I specifically mentioned that the new Constitution does not guarantee the right of freedom of expression .

Also, there are mistakes in the article such as Mizzima News Agency (not Mizoma News Agency", Narinjara News (not Nalingjasa News"), Independent Mon News Agency (not "Non-Independent News Agency") .

Please kindly correct the facts for the readers to get the true picture of media freedom in Burma.

Thanking you in advance,
Soe Myint
Editor In-Chief
Mizzima News Agency
sm(at)mizzima(dot)com .

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