Junta-Backed New Publications Flood Market In Mandalay

by Maung Dee
Monday, 21 January 2008 00:00

New Delhi : The Burmese military is countering the media with the media. Local journalists in Burma's ancient capital city of Mandalay said the authorities have given printing and publishing permits to several private weekly journals.

The latest among the series of new publications is 'Pan Thitsar' weekly journal, which began publishing its first issue on Friday, a local journalist, who request anonymity, told Mizzima.

The new private journals including the Shwe Mandalay, Upper Myanmar, Mandalay Times, Nan Myint, and Maan Taung Yeik, are mostly biased in favour of the government's policies and carry several articles that support the junta's stance, he added.

"These journals are a lot more biased towards the policies and stance of the Union Solidarity and Association Development, [Junta backed civil organization]. For instance, the articles says how bad it is to lean on the US and how the country is making remarkable progress. So, it is like publishing the government's propaganda," a veteran literary figure in Mandalay, who did not wish to be named, told Mizzima.

However, the journals' content are mainly filled with advertisements in order to boost sales as readers cannot be attracted to the articles and news content, another journalist told Mizzima.

While the Burmese authorities seem to be promoting journals and newspapers that support them, it is also reportedly restricting opposition groups from publishing.

Major Tint Swe of the Burmese Press Scrutiny and Registration Department summoned U Nyan Win , spokesperson of Burma's main opposition party – the National League for Democracy – after the party's youth wing on January 4, published a bulletin, named 'Arryone Thit'.

Major Tint Swe reportedly warned Nyan Win and threatened to take action if the party continues with the publication.

"This is unfair. Decicions should be taken on what is being written. If the contents of the journal or publication are false then it can be stopped but what we have written is all true," An NLD youth member, speaking to Mizzima.

He added that media should play a role in furnishing the truth to the people, but the junta is misusing the media to spread its propaganda.

Son Moe Wai, secretary of the Burma Media Association (BMA), said, "They [the junta] know how effective their propaganda is. They are aware of the number of readers for their newspapers and audiences for TV."

"But I think journalists are doing their duty, and they cannot be suppressed. The more the pressure, the more strength they find in doing their job. So, the junta can never totally suppress journalists from doing their job," Son Moe Wai added.