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The Burmese regime has decided to "take the bull by
the horns and open up the media
arena, with some good results". Why can't Fiji do the same?
Photo: Asian Correspondent.com |
FIJI should take note of the recent media transformation in Burma after almost five decades under tight military regime control since the 1962 coup. Apart from dissidents and exiles reporting the "real" stories from within to the outer world, much of the rest of the media had become the docile plaything of the colonels. Not any more. While there is still a long way to go for a free press in Burma, the democratic floodgates have genuinely opened and - surprise, surprise - the media is booming. Café Pacific
reckons the Bainimarama regime should open up and
encourage a return to a genuinely "free" media (by abolishing the Media Decree
) as the country prepares
for the lead up to the 2014 general election.
By U Myint Thin in The Irrawaddy
 |
Irrawaddy's U Myint-Thin ... pseudonym for a
Thai columnist. Graphic: Irrawwaddy |
MEDIA development is a serious business in Burma. After the government in Naypyidaw decided to open up the country, it picked media as a top priority. For the past 15 months, media development has been the most exciting area which is being closely watched by the international community.
Literally every international media assistance programme has now established a presence inside Burma, offering training and workshops and drafting various media development plans. UNESCO has spearheaded efforts to promote press freedom inside Burma using its vast experience from other developing countries.
For the first time, the country will celebrate
World Press Freedom Day on May 3 to herald new media freedom inside the country.
