Media of Burma
Encyclopedia
The media of Burma refers to print, broadcast and online media in Burma (Myanmar). The media has undergone strict censorship and regulation since the 1962 Burmese coup d'état
. The constitution provides for freedom of speech
and the press
; however, the government
prohibits the exercise of these rights in practice. Reporters Without Borders
ranked Burma 174th out of 178 in its 2010 Press Freedom Index
, ahead of just Iran
, Turkmenistan
, North Korea
, and Eritrea
.
There have been moves to lift censorship in the country. Tint Swe, head of the country's "Press Scrutiny and Registration Division", told Radio Free Asia
that censorship "should be abolished in the near future" as it is "non-existent in most other countries" and "not in harmony with democratic practices."
was an advocate of press freedom and encouraged the creation of the Burma's first Burmese language newspaper, Yadanapon Naypyidaw Thadinsa to report on him and the Queen, even if it portrayed them in a negative way. After King Mindon, the media was useful for the resistance of colonialism. Several Chinese, Burmese and English language newspapers were permitted to report news from around the country and internationally, interviewing politicians and interacting with foreign journalists, contrary to most of Burma's Southeast Asia
n neighbours. Throughout the colonial era, there was a steady increase in the number publications in circulation. In 1911, there were 44 periodicals and newspapers in circulation, and 103 in 1921. By the end of the 1930s, there were over 200 newspapers and periodicals in circulation, double the amount in 1921. From the independence of Burma from the United Kingdom
in 1948 until 1962, the country experienced a temporary period of democracy and free media. Journalist U Thaung founded Kyemon
(The Mirror Daily) in 1957, and its 90,000 circulation was Burma's largest.
, journalists quickly responded by forming the Burma Press Council in order to protect press freedom. Within a month however, several journalists were arrested and publications shut down. By 1988, the number of newspapers had decreased from 30 to 8. The media gradually became the monopoly of the military junta under Ne Win
.
The press environment remains tightly controlled in the country. Journalists are often harassed, arrested or jailed for reporting unfavourable news that reflects badly on the country or the regime. The media is also instructed to vilify opposition members. Burmese media acts as the mouthpiece for the regime, where during the anti-government protests in 2007
, it labelled the protesters as "devils" and blamed foreign media for starting the protests. Several media outlets were closed down after refusing to publish propaganda
. However, many outlets stopped publication as a mark of solidarity with the protesters.
Subjects out of bounds for journalists include discussions of democracy
, the legitimacy of the regime, political corruption
, HIV
/AIDS
, the aftermath of natural disasters and the national football team
losing, though some attempt to hide criticism amongst words or images. Because the media is restricted from reporting negative events in this way, it can often be unreliable. Words by Aung San Suu Kyi
are rarely covered in the media. Similarly, references to the United Nations
are rare, as the junta views the organisation of trying to overthrow the regime. The Burmese state-owned media also speaks ill of the governments of the United States
, the United Kingdom
, and the European Union
. The Burmese government is wary of international media, and as a consequence, many news organisations are banned from reporting in the country. One senior General accused foreign media of "spreading lies" to undermine national unity. Some private media is allowed, though the government owns around 75% stake in it. In 2005, several domestic journalists were released.
There are a total of 20 news agencies based in Myanmar, including Agence France-Press, Associated Press
, Reuters
and Xinhua. Exile media outlets such as the Democratic Voice of Burma
based in Oslo, Norway, seek to promote civil society efforts and freedom of expression within Burma from abroad, while attempting to offer an uncensored perspective on Burmese affairs to the rest of the world.
and India
appear occasionally, though are sometimes removed. Magazines are less affected by the strict press laws compared to newspapers, as many avoid discussion of the political situation. There are a huge variety of magazines, ranging from monthly to biannuals, although their market is smaller compared to the "journals". Topics include Burmese traditional medicine, various magazines published by non-Burmese ethnic races (like the Shan and Rakhine
), Buddhist and astronomy related magazines. There are also about 15 newspapers published daily, devoted entirely to football. In all, there are 187 weekly journals registered to the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division under the Ministry of Information.
On occasion, only the Myanmar Times has been allowed to break regulation and discuss articles that would try to cast the junta in a positive light, such as the relationship with Aung San Suu Kyi
.
Weekly Eleven
news journal, The Voice Weekly
and 7 Days News
journal are some of popular journals in Myanmar.
except for MM which is the only private TV in Burma. The Video Act of 1985 outlined what media could tape. There are seven TV stations in Myanmar, of which, MTV
1 and MTV
2 are the main channels. And another channel by government is MRTV. MRTV-3
is an English language channel aimed at an international audience. During the 2007 protests, the stations were used to broadcast messages critical of foreign media.(YouTube clip) Due to lack of equipment, newsreaders often have to read directly off their notes instead of an autocue
. Satellite television is illegal, though many citizens watch it. Television broadcasts regularly feature members of the military, visiting monasteries and handing out gifts of money and religious material. In February 2010, CNN was removed from Burmese TV because the authorities didn't want their citizens to see the predominantly U.S. aid for Haitian earthquake victims.
Radio broadcasting began in 1936, with the Burma Broadcasting Service beginning operation ten years later. Today there are 2FM stations 1AM station and 3 shortwave stations. The main radio stations are Radio Myanmar (operated by MRTV) and City FM. Radio Myanmar usually beings daily with readings from the governments' "Seven Point Road to Democracy", "Twelve Political, Economic and Social Objectives" and "Three Main National Causes". Little or no foreign music is permitted, instead a variety of traditional Burmese classics are played, according to the Union Solidarity and Development Association
. However, local radio stations usually play internationally known songs, re-recorded in Burmese. Unlike Radio Myanmar, City FM is primarily an entertainment station. Radio sets are usually tuned to government stations, however, uncensored information from stations such as BBC
, VOA, Radio Free Asia
and Democratic Voice of Burma
(based in Oslo, Norway) are available from sets smuggled into the country and are popular, though some people caught listening to broadcasts have been arrested. Before internet access became available, foreign radio stations were a major source of information, which often helped to break the media blackout
in the country.
Given the population of Burma, impact from radio and television has not been significant - only 10%, due to poor living conditions.
The internet media has yet to make a significant impact in Burma, where according to official statistics, as of July 2010, there were only 400,000 Internet users (0.8% of the population). However during the anti-government protests in 2007
, some footage was posted on video sharing sites like YouTube
and Flickr
which gave international media an inside look at the protests.
A number of Burmese exile sites publish information from inside Burma, including Mizzima (based in New Delhi), The Irrawaddy
(based in Thailand), Freedom News Group (based in Bangkok and U.S.), and BurmaNet News.
1962 Burmese coup d'état
The 1962 Burmese coup d'état on 2 March 1962 marked the beginnings of socialist rule and the political dominance of the army in Burma which spanned the course of 26 years...
. The constitution provides for freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used...
and the press
Freedom of the press
Freedom of the press or freedom of the media is the freedom of communication and expression through vehicles including various electronic media and published materials...
; however, the government
State Peace and Development Council
The State Peace and Development Council was the official name of the military regime of Burma , which seized power in 1988. On 30 March 2011, Senior General Than Shwe signed a decree to officially dissolve the Council....
prohibits the exercise of these rights in practice. Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders is a France-based international non-governmental organization that advocates freedom of the press. It was founded in 1985, by Robert Ménard, Rony Brauman and the journalist Jean-Claude Guillebaud. Jean-François Julliard has served as Secretary General since 2008...
ranked Burma 174th out of 178 in its 2010 Press Freedom Index
Press Freedom Index
The Press Freedom Index is an annual ranking of countries compiled and published by Reporters Without Borders based upon the organization's assessment of their press freedom records. Small countries, such as Andorra, are excluded from this report...
, ahead of just Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan , formerly also known as Turkmenia is one of the Turkic states in Central Asia. Until 1991, it was a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic . Turkmenistan is one of the six independent Turkic states...
, North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
, and Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
.
There have been moves to lift censorship in the country. Tint Swe, head of the country's "Press Scrutiny and Registration Division", told Radio Free Asia
Radio Free Asia
Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation that operates a radio station and Internet news service. RFA was founded by an act of the US Congress and is operated by the Broadcasting Board of Governors . The RFA is supported in part by grants from the federal government of the United States...
that censorship "should be abolished in the near future" as it is "non-existent in most other countries" and "not in harmony with democratic practices."
19th century–1962
Before British colonisation, local media was very active. In 1836, the country's first newspaper, The Maulmain Chronicle, was published. King MindonMindon Min
Mindon Min was the penultimate king of Burma from 1853 to 1878. He was one of the most popular and revered kings of Burma. Under his half brother King Pagan, the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852 ended with the annexation of Lower Burma by the British Empire. Mindon and his younger brother Kanaung...
was an advocate of press freedom and encouraged the creation of the Burma's first Burmese language newspaper, Yadanapon Naypyidaw Thadinsa to report on him and the Queen, even if it portrayed them in a negative way. After King Mindon, the media was useful for the resistance of colonialism. Several Chinese, Burmese and English language newspapers were permitted to report news from around the country and internationally, interviewing politicians and interacting with foreign journalists, contrary to most of Burma's Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
n neighbours. Throughout the colonial era, there was a steady increase in the number publications in circulation. In 1911, there were 44 periodicals and newspapers in circulation, and 103 in 1921. By the end of the 1930s, there were over 200 newspapers and periodicals in circulation, double the amount in 1921. From the independence of Burma from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1948 until 1962, the country experienced a temporary period of democracy and free media. Journalist U Thaung founded Kyemon
Kyemon
Kyemon is a state-owned Burmese language daily newspaper based in Yangon, Myanmar. Along with Myanmar Alin, Kyemon is one of two Burmese language national newspapers in the country...
(The Mirror Daily) in 1957, and its 90,000 circulation was Burma's largest.
Military rule (1962–present)
After the March 1962 coup d'état1962 Burmese coup d'état
The 1962 Burmese coup d'état on 2 March 1962 marked the beginnings of socialist rule and the political dominance of the army in Burma which spanned the course of 26 years...
, journalists quickly responded by forming the Burma Press Council in order to protect press freedom. Within a month however, several journalists were arrested and publications shut down. By 1988, the number of newspapers had decreased from 30 to 8. The media gradually became the monopoly of the military junta under Ne Win
Ne Win
Ne Win was Burmese a politician and military commander. He was Prime Minister of Burma from 1958 to 1960 and 1962 to 1974 and also head of state from 1962 to 1981...
.
The press environment remains tightly controlled in the country. Journalists are often harassed, arrested or jailed for reporting unfavourable news that reflects badly on the country or the regime. The media is also instructed to vilify opposition members. Burmese media acts as the mouthpiece for the regime, where during the anti-government protests in 2007
2007 Burmese anti-government protests
The 2007 Burmese anti-government protests were a series of anti-government protests that started in Burma on 15 August 2007...
, it labelled the protesters as "devils" and blamed foreign media for starting the protests. Several media outlets were closed down after refusing to publish propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
. However, many outlets stopped publication as a mark of solidarity with the protesters.
Subjects out of bounds for journalists include discussions of democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
, the legitimacy of the regime, political corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
, HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
/AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
, the aftermath of natural disasters and the national football team
Myanmar national football team
The Myanmar national football team is the national team of Myanmar and is controlled by the Myanmar Football Federation. It was known as the Burma national football team until 1989, when Burma was renamed Myanmar. It finished second in the 1968 Asian Cup. They have participated in the Summer...
losing, though some attempt to hide criticism amongst words or images. Because the media is restricted from reporting negative events in this way, it can often be unreliable. Words by Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi, AC is a Burmese opposition politician and the General Secretary of the National League for Democracy. In the 1990 general election, her National League for Democracy party won 59% of the national votes and 81% of the seats in Parliament. She had, however, already been detained...
are rarely covered in the media. Similarly, references to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
are rare, as the junta views the organisation of trying to overthrow the regime. The Burmese state-owned media also speaks ill of the governments of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. The Burmese government is wary of international media, and as a consequence, many news organisations are banned from reporting in the country. One senior General accused foreign media of "spreading lies" to undermine national unity. Some private media is allowed, though the government owns around 75% stake in it. In 2005, several domestic journalists were released.
There are a total of 20 news agencies based in Myanmar, including Agence France-Press, Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
, Reuters
Reuters
Reuters is a news agency headquartered in New York City. Until 2008 the Reuters news agency formed part of a British independent company, Reuters Group plc, which was also a provider of financial market data...
and Xinhua. Exile media outlets such as the Democratic Voice of Burma
Democratic Voice of Burma
The Democratic Voice of Burma is a non-profit media organization based in Oslo, Norway. Run by Burmese expatriates, it makes radio and television broadcasts aimed at providing uncensored news and information about Burma , the country's military regime, and its political opposition.In July 1992,...
based in Oslo, Norway, seek to promote civil society efforts and freedom of expression within Burma from abroad, while attempting to offer an uncensored perspective on Burmese affairs to the rest of the world.
Media laws
Several media laws are in place across print, broadcast and the Internet media:- The Burma Wireless Telegraphy Act (1933), enacted by the British government in colonial times, makes it an offense to have in possession any wireless telegraphy apparatus without permission. The act was amended in 1995/6 by the junta to include fax machines and computers.
- Printers and Publishers Registration Law (1962) requires all publishers to submit copies of books and magazines to Press Scrutiny Boards prior to publication for alterations.
- Martial Law Order 3/89 (1989) makes it an offense to publish any document without prior registration from the Home and Religious Affairs Ministry.
- The Television and Video Act (1995) requires the public and organizations such as the United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
who possess televisions and video equipment to obtain a license from the Ministry of Communication. - The Motion Picture Law (1996) states that licenses to make films must be obtained from the Myanmar Motion Picture Enterprise, which are later censoredCensorshipthumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
if necessary. - The Computer Science Development Law (1996) requires the media to have prior permission from the Ministry of Communication before using, importing or possessing computer equipment.
- Internet Law (2000) imposes regulations on postings on the Internet that may be deemed to be detrimental to the country, its policies or security affairs.
- Wide Area Network Establishment and Service Providing order No. 3/2002.
- Electronic Transactions Law (2004) promotes and regulates the Internet and other electronic transactions in a wide variety of ways, including defining penalties of up to 15 years in prison for using electronic transactions (a) to commit "any act detrimental to the security of the State or prevalence of law and order or community peace and tranquility or national solidarity or national economy or national culture", and (b) for "receiving or sending and distributing any information relating to secrets of the security of the State or prevalence of law and order or community peace and tranquility or national solidarity or national economy or national culture".
Newspapers and journals
All newspaper articles, regardless of content, must pass through the censor board at the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division, set up by the Ministry of Information in 2005. Despite the tight press laws, there a wide variety of publications available. Some foreign publications from ThailandThailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
appear occasionally, though are sometimes removed. Magazines are less affected by the strict press laws compared to newspapers, as many avoid discussion of the political situation. There are a huge variety of magazines, ranging from monthly to biannuals, although their market is smaller compared to the "journals". Topics include Burmese traditional medicine, various magazines published by non-Burmese ethnic races (like the Shan and Rakhine
Rakhine people
The Rakhine , is a nationality in Myanmar forming the majority along the coastal region of present day Rakhine State or Arakan State. They possibly constitute 5.53% or more of Myanmar's total population but no accurate census figures exist. Rakhine people also live in the southeastern parts of...
), Buddhist and astronomy related magazines. There are also about 15 newspapers published daily, devoted entirely to football. In all, there are 187 weekly journals registered to the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division under the Ministry of Information.
On occasion, only the Myanmar Times has been allowed to break regulation and discuss articles that would try to cast the junta in a positive light, such as the relationship with Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi, AC is a Burmese opposition politician and the General Secretary of the National League for Democracy. In the 1990 general election, her National League for Democracy party won 59% of the national votes and 81% of the seats in Parliament. She had, however, already been detained...
.
Weekly Eleven
Weekly Eleven
Weekly Eleven is a weekly newspaper published in Burma. It is one of the 5 weekly journals published by Eleven Media Group. It is focused on general local news and some sports and international news....
news journal, The Voice Weekly
The Voice Weekly
The Voice Weekly is a regular news journal published in Myanmar language. It is more focus on current Myanmar political issues. It was suspended one week together with 7 Days News for publishing Aung San Suu Kyi news on front page in November 2011....
and 7 Days News
Seven Days News
7 Days News is a private weekly newspaper published in Burma. it was one of the best selling journals in Myanmar. It was suspended one week for publishing front page news on Aung San Suu Kyi in November 2010. Other publications also suspended were The Voice Weekly, Venus News, Pyithu Khit, Myanmar...
journal are some of popular journals in Myanmar.
Television and radio
Like print media, all broadcast media is owned by the governmentState media
State media or state-owned media is media for mass communication which is ultimately controlled and/or funded by the state. These news outlets may be the sole media outlet or may exist in competition with privately-controlled media.-Overview:...
except for MM which is the only private TV in Burma. The Video Act of 1985 outlined what media could tape. There are seven TV stations in Myanmar, of which, MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
1 and MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
2 are the main channels. And another channel by government is MRTV. MRTV-3
MRTV-3
Myanmar International Television is a Burmese state-owned national and international English-language television channel based in Yangon, Myanmar. The channel was first launched in August 2001 as MRTV-3, the third ever television channel in Myanmar...
is an English language channel aimed at an international audience. During the 2007 protests, the stations were used to broadcast messages critical of foreign media.(YouTube clip) Due to lack of equipment, newsreaders often have to read directly off their notes instead of an autocue
Autocue
Autocue is a UK based manufacturer of teleprompter systems, owned by QTV. The company was founded in 1955 and licensed its first teleprompter, based on a patent by Jess Oppenheimer, in 1962...
. Satellite television is illegal, though many citizens watch it. Television broadcasts regularly feature members of the military, visiting monasteries and handing out gifts of money and religious material. In February 2010, CNN was removed from Burmese TV because the authorities didn't want their citizens to see the predominantly U.S. aid for Haitian earthquake victims.
Radio broadcasting began in 1936, with the Burma Broadcasting Service beginning operation ten years later. Today there are 2FM stations 1AM station and 3 shortwave stations. The main radio stations are Radio Myanmar (operated by MRTV) and City FM. Radio Myanmar usually beings daily with readings from the governments' "Seven Point Road to Democracy", "Twelve Political, Economic and Social Objectives" and "Three Main National Causes". Little or no foreign music is permitted, instead a variety of traditional Burmese classics are played, according to the Union Solidarity and Development Association
Union Solidarity and Development Association
The Union Solidarity and Development Association was a Burmese organisation formed by Myanmar's ruling military junta, the State Law and Order Restoration Council , on 15 September 1993. The USDA comprised 1 Headquarters, 17 State and Division Associations, 66 District Associations and 320...
. However, local radio stations usually play internationally known songs, re-recorded in Burmese. Unlike Radio Myanmar, City FM is primarily an entertainment station. Radio sets are usually tuned to government stations, however, uncensored information from stations such as BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, VOA, Radio Free Asia
Radio Free Asia
Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation that operates a radio station and Internet news service. RFA was founded by an act of the US Congress and is operated by the Broadcasting Board of Governors . The RFA is supported in part by grants from the federal government of the United States...
and Democratic Voice of Burma
Democratic Voice of Burma
The Democratic Voice of Burma is a non-profit media organization based in Oslo, Norway. Run by Burmese expatriates, it makes radio and television broadcasts aimed at providing uncensored news and information about Burma , the country's military regime, and its political opposition.In July 1992,...
(based in Oslo, Norway) are available from sets smuggled into the country and are popular, though some people caught listening to broadcasts have been arrested. Before internet access became available, foreign radio stations were a major source of information, which often helped to break the media blackout
Media blackout
Media blackout refers to the censorship of news related to a certain topic, particularly in mass media, for any reason. A media blackout may be voluntary, or may in some countries be enforced by the government or state. The latter case is controversial in peacetime, as some regard it as a human...
in the country.
Given the population of Burma, impact from radio and television has not been significant - only 10%, due to poor living conditions.
Internet media
The internet in Burma is strictly controlled, with access blocked to websites critical of the junta, Burmese exile groups, and foreign media. Government approval is usually needed to own a computer and other electronic devices capable of accessing outside information. And Internet access varies due to electricity shortages.The internet media has yet to make a significant impact in Burma, where according to official statistics, as of July 2010, there were only 400,000 Internet users (0.8% of the population). However during the anti-government protests in 2007
2007 Burmese anti-government protests
The 2007 Burmese anti-government protests were a series of anti-government protests that started in Burma on 15 August 2007...
, some footage was posted on video sharing sites like YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
and Flickr
Flickr
Flickr is an image hosting and video hosting website, web services suite, and online community that was created by Ludicorp in 2004 and acquired by Yahoo! in 2005. In addition to being a popular website for users to share and embed personal photographs, the service is widely used by bloggers to...
which gave international media an inside look at the protests.
A number of Burmese exile sites publish information from inside Burma, including Mizzima (based in New Delhi), The Irrawaddy
The Irrawaddy
This article is about a newsmagazine. For other uses of the term, please see Irrawaddy.For the Second World War battle honour, see Battle of Pokoku and Irrawaddy River operations...
(based in Thailand), Freedom News Group (based in Bangkok and U.S.), and BurmaNet News.
See also
- Communications in Burma
- Censorship in BurmaCensorship in BurmaCensorship in Burma refers to government policies in controlling and regulating certain information, particularly on religious, ethnic, political, and moral grounds...
- Myanmar News AgencyMyanmar News AgencyThe Myanmar News Agency is the official state news agency of the Myanmar government, based in Yangon, Burma. It was established in 1963 after the 1962 Burmese coup d'état as News Agency Burma . It is currently under the News and Periodical Enterprise of the Ministry of Information...
- Mandalay GazetteMandalay GazetteThe Mandalay Gazette is a San Gabriel Valley-based Burmese language newspaper intended for overseas Burmese, with a primary focus on Burmese related news in the United States and Canada. The monthly paper has a total circulation of 12,000, and is distributed at major cities across the US and...
External links
- New Light of Myanmar (state run English newspaper)
- MRTV 3 (state run English broadcasting service)
- Myanmar Times (joint state-private run newspaper)
- BurmaNet News
- Irrawaddy News Magazine - Thailand-based news website dedicated to Burma and Southeast Asia
- Mizzima
- BBC Myanmar
- RFA or Radio Free Asia Burmese
- Burma Digest
- Moe Ma Ka
- Online Burma, Myanmar Library
- DVB or Democratic Voice of Burma
- Shan Herald Agency for News
- Radio Myanmar
- Kachin news
- KNU
- Burma Media Association (BMA) - overseas organisation set up by exiled Burmese journalists
- MyanmaThadin Myanmar (Burma) News from every perspectives