Burma Press Freedom Still Low, Says Media Watchdog

A report from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) released on Tuesday has found that censorship in Burma remains as bad as ever, despite recent government promises of reform.
Burma Press Freedom Still Low, Says Media Watchdog
9/20/2011
Updated:
1/30/2012


 

A report from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) released on Tuesday has found that censorship in Burma remains as bad as ever, despite recent government promises of reform.

The international press freedom watchdog found that journalists in Burma, which was renamed from Myanmar by the military junta, are among the most censored in the world, even though the country has switched over to a civilian government after decades of military rule.

Although privately owned publications and media entities have sprung up in recent years, they are forced to publish on a weekly basis, while state-run media can publish daily, the report said.

And despite newly elected President Thein Sein’s call for government to respect media earlier this year, the CPJ said “authorities continue to systematically harass, sanction, and imprison journalists, particularly those who report undercover for exile-run media groups.”

The group also said a number of journalists have recently been sentenced to long jail terms. Last week, the prison term of a 21-year-old photographer was extended by 10 more years after he posted photos on the Internet.

“There is always a sense of fear that Big Brother is watching you,” a reporter who wish not to be named told CPJ. “All of our phones are tapped, and we’re all under constant surveillance.”