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The Economist carries the good news, with the sober warning that press freedom remains beyond the grasp of Myanmar journalists:
But as part of a wider reform programme introduced by President Thein Sein, the old media rules have gradually been relaxed. For several months many editors have no longer been required to submit articles for prepublication censorship on such subjects as the economy. The latest announcement removes the need to submit articles on more sensitive topics, such as politics or Myanmar’s ethnic conflicts.
The country’s journalists welcome the news, but they also give warning that this by no means ends restrictions on press freedom. These remain numerous and burdensome. In particular, two bits of repressive legislation remain: the Printers and Publishers Registration Act, dating from the start of military rule in 1962, and the 2004 Electronic Transactions Law. Under the first, publications can lose their licences if they supposedly harm the reputation of a government department, threaten peace and security, and much else. Under the second, a person can be imprisoned for up to 15 years for distributing via the internet information that the courts deem harmful to the state. Meanwhile, the censor board itself seems likely to remain in business, ready to punish reporters or editors who overstep the mark.
But, good news is good news, yes? See the entire article at The Economist.
Related articles
- Myanmar Eliminates Most Forms Of Media Censorship (ibtimes.com)
- Myanmar eases press censorship (edition.cnn.com)
- Myanmar abolishes censorship of private publications (mysanantonio.com)
- Myanmar says it has abolished media censorship (euronews.com)
- Myanmar Abolishes Censorship of Private Publications (nytimes.com)
- Myanmar Censors Lift Ban on 2 Magazines (abcnews.go.com)
- Myanmar press still fighting for true freedom (gulfnews.com)
- Burmese Journalists Demand End to Censorship (irrawaddy.org)
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