Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are not rights guaranteed to Burmese citizens. In fact, such concepts have been almost unknown to the people of Myanmar since the mid 1960s.
The Myanmar Information Ministry has publicly announced that any Myanmar national wishing to publish a daily newspaper will be able to submit an application to do so. New papers will be allowed to begin printing in April 2013 in any language.
The move was an expected part of new press freedoms President Thein Sein has introduced as part of wider democratic reforms since taking office last year, after a half-century of totalitarian military rule.
The move was an expected part of new press freedoms President Thein Sein has introduced as part of wider democratic reforms since taking office last year, after a half-century of totalitarian military rule.
Freedom of the Press is a significant reform from a regime not known for extending freedoms to its people. In August 2012, the government abolished direct censorship of the media and informed journalists they would no longer have to submit their work to state censors before publication as they had for almost half a century.
Myanmar has state-run dailies which serve as government mouthpieces and more than 180 weeklies, about half of which cover news while the rest feature sports, entertainment, health and other subjects.
Myanmar has state-run dailies which serve as government mouthpieces and more than 180 weeklies, about half of which cover news while the rest feature sports, entertainment, health and other subjects.
Private dailies in Burmese, English, Indian and Chinese languages were once vibrant in the former British colony, previously called Burma. But all were forced to close when late dictator Ne Win nationalized private businesses in 1964.
Under Ne Win's one-party Socialist government the standard of newspapers diminished to propaganda sheets. The most recent military regime ruled by Gen. Than Shwe used the country's three state-owned dailies as junta mouthpieces, which continue to be unpopular with low circulation.
Until just two years ago, this Southeast Asian nation's reporters were regarded as among the most restricted in the world, subject to routine state surveillance, phone taps and intense censorship. The censorship board would shut down newspapers temporarily for violations. Journalists were tortured, imprisoned, sometimes murdered and subjected to constant surveillance.
Until just two years ago, this Southeast Asian nation's reporters were regarded as among the most restricted in the world, subject to routine state surveillance, phone taps and intense censorship. The censorship board would shut down newspapers temporarily for violations. Journalists were tortured, imprisoned, sometimes murdered and subjected to constant surveillance.
For the last 50 years, Myanmar’s journalists have fled to the Thai and Indian borders, where they provided some of the only insights available to Burmese inside the country and outside observers alike — into the brutal actions of the military government. Some were driven outward in patterns flowing from their ethnic belongings: the Kachin, Shan, and Karen went east and southeast into Thailand. Supporters of the pro-democracy movement fled to Thailand or Europe, where they sent radio and TV signals and print media back home to Burma.
But media has been slowly changing. Testing their new freedoms, journalists and private publications have become bolder. They have printed once forbidden items including pictures and stories about anti-government demonstrations and sectarian violence. The once highly taboo images of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi are now often displayed, even in state-controlled media.
Myanmar is poised for dramatic change. Media, and a free press will help to lead and drive that change. Myanmar is called a “greenfield” country, because of it burgeoning opportunities on every front. In media communications the potential is staggering... over 90 percent of its 60 million people lacking mobile phones, Internet service, or bank accounts. Real business decisions are being formulated by global companies in anticipation of the tens of millions of Burmese expected to be newly-wired with phones with Internet connections by 2015.
Following two heralded reform elections and a two-year period of economic opening, today the primary city of Yangon [the fabled city of Rangoon] sprawls with development projects and capitalistic fervor amid its decaying British-colonial buildings.
Myanmar is on the verge of becoming one of the most sought after places on earth for economic development, social and political change. Stay tuned.. watch as an exciting future emerges for the Burmese peoples!
EDITORS NOTE: What will this new found freedom of the press do for the Christian Gospel? Will we see openings in the near future for foreign missionaries to return to Myanmar and spread the message of Jesus Christ? It’s an exciting time for Myanmar. Pray that all of these freedoms will enable the Gospel of Jesus Christ to move faster, deeper and wider than ever before!
The dominate Buddhist faith is strong in Myanmar. The religion's influence reaches beyond hearts and souls and is a source of the country's national pride. Buddhist monks have been influential in leading the pro-democracy movements. Yet the True God of Heaven is moving mightily in the Burmese people's hearts. Native missionaries enjoy good relationships with local officials and are hard at work sharing the Good News of Jesus.
After years of tension, persecution and many difficulties, the native missionaries continue serving faithfully, and thousands are choosing to follow Christ. Will God open the door for Christians who have a passion for Myanmar to go and live among the native Christians, working should-to-shoulder in building God’s Church? Pray for God’s Will to be done in Myanmar!
