Burma abolishes media censorship

[removeduser_487563287433]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19315806

Burma has abolished media censorship. Reporters will no longer have to submit articles to the state prior to their publication.

How far this will go, in effect, is the important bit. There are still strict laws in place that could see journalists or commentators punished for what they publish. And we have too many cases in places such as Russia where freedom of speech is heavily restricted and dissident journalists can even be murdered.

However, it is in line with Burma's tenuous steps towards great democracy. Aung San Suu Kyi was released from decades of house arrest, and the Burmese by-elections saw her party win 43 of the 44 seats they contested, in an election that saw 47 seats up for grabs. The junta backed USDP controls 259 seats in the lower house, and 129 seats in the upper house, compared to Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD controlling 37 and 4 respectively - it remains to be seen whether the Government will permit the NLD to contest for seats to the point where they can form a majority Government. One important result of this is that western states lifting economic sanctions on Burma, which may help wean Burma off its Chinese economic lifeline.

There are huge human rights concerns. The Burmese Government is heavily persecuting Muslim and ethnic minorities.

[hellheaven1987]

The Burmese Government is heavily persecuting Muslim and ethnic minorities.

It difficult to tell whether that is true or not, and UN is trying to gather data for it; so wait until UN release their report before jump into conclusion.

Still, Burma is getting better in a quick pace, and I don't think it can reverse back now.

[removeduser_487563287433]

It difficult to tell whether that is true or not, and UN is trying to gather data for it; so wait until UN release their report before jump into conclusion.

Still, Burma is getting better in a quick pace, and I don't think it can reverse back now.

Channel 4 gained access to banned areas and produced a very convincing work of investigative journalism.

http://www.channel4.com/news/inside-...orbidden-camps

Channel 4 has a very good track record here. Last year it exposed war crimes in Sri Lanka, that the UN used as evidence.

[hellheaven1987]

On the other hand I only know Channel 4 has the information (which UN is also used for the current investigation); unless there are multiple parties can verify the abuses I would rather wait until UN report is out.

[removeduser_487563287433]

Well, unless Channel 4 helped sneak in other journalists how exactly do you think that might happen?

[Bobz]

Well very good indeed. Burma is very tentatively making steps towards democracy, and increasing press freedom is another step on that road. Whether or not the military junta just wants superficial reform to ease international sanctions or there is a genuine move to democracy remains to be seen, but better to think optimistically.