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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000104 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO PGOV PINR EAID PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT:  Journalism in Burma: Newspapers, the Censor Board, and the 
Elections 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  Burmese journalists face a restricted and uncertain 
environment, but a literate public has fueled a recent expansion of 
privately owned newspapers in urban areas.  Self-censorship is 
prevalent and the Censor Board is heavy handed, though editors 
generally get along with the current director.  Journalists see the 
upcoming elections as a huge challenge.  They view their role as not 
only reporting on the campaigns, but also explaining the 
fundamentals of democracy -- yet it's not clear at this stage how 
much leeway the Censor Board will ultimately allow.  End summary. 
 
Embassy Journalism Training 
--------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  The Embassy Public Affairs section has funded a variety 
of journalism training programs, such as sending Burmese reporters 
to conferences abroad and bringing American trainers to Burma to 
lead courses on such topics as reporting, photojournalism, feature 
writing, and newsroom management.  Embassy-funded trainers have 
worked primarily with privately owned newspapers directly, but one 
grantee also led workshops for the government-sponsored Myanmar 
Journalists and Writers Association (MJWA, the majority of whose 
members are from privately owned newspapers).  These training 
programs have given the Embassy and our grantees unique access to 
newsrooms and the Censor Board. 
 
The Media Environment in Burma 
------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  Burma has very limited press freedom, but a literate 
urban public with a strong reading tradition and an interest in 
politics.  Burma has among the fastest growing newspaper industries 
in Southeast Asia; the number of weekly newspapers has gone from 
just a handful 10 years ago to approximately 150 today.  Most of the 
newspapers -- published primarily in Rangoon and to a lesser extent 
in Mandalay -- cover non-political issues, like sports and 
entertainment, with very little hard news about events in Burma or 
the outside world. 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  Members of the press corps with credible training are few 
in Burma, and the country has no formal journalism education 
programs.  Burma's best journalists -- including virtually all of 
the top publishers and editors -- have received training, though, 
usually outside the country.  The sharp increase in the number of 
private weekly journals has driven demand for more journalists, and 
many of these new hires have little or no training.  Reporters are 
hindered by a restricted, heavily-censored environment and poor 
English language skills, and earn meager pay.  Nevertheless, they 
appear dedicated and curious. 
 
The Influence of the Censor Board 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  The Press Scrutiny and Registration Division (read: 
Censor Board) bans on average 20-25 percent of all stories in a 
given periodical.  Because Burmese reporters tend to get paid only 
for the stories that make it into the newspaper, self-censorship is 
prevalent.  We understand the censors themselves are risk averse and 
reluctant to allow articles that could get them into in trouble. 
Censor Board decisions are final in most cases, but if editors have 
decent relationships with the censors, especially with the director 
Tint Swe, they can argue for inclusion of stories, or at least 
certain elements of them, and sometimes reach a compromise.  Some 
Burmese journalists expect private journals will be able to publish 
daily after the elections (currently only government-owned newspaper 
can print daily).  However, most editors think officials will only 
grant licenses for those dailies that least deserve them -- i.e., 
those that studiously avoid sensitive or controversial coverage. 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  Current Censor Board director Tint Swe seems to be 
reasonably well-liked by journalists, particularly in comparison to 
his predecessor.  Several leading editors have indicated they can 
consult freely with him.  A number of media representatives have 
also noted slightly increased space to report on the United States 
and international events.  For his part, Tint Swe believes the 
post-election period will bring changes to Burma's private media. 
He has said more than once that he believes the Censor Board's days 
are numbered.  Practically, it would be hard for the Censor Board, 
as currently constituted, to manage the dramatic workload increase 
should the GOB allow daily newspapers; thus, some here expect an 
eventual shift to a self-censorship model akin to China's.  For now, 
though, it remains the case that Tint Swe is a former military 
officer.  He may aspire for greater press freedom in Burma; but he 
continues to toe the line and follow instructions from Nay Pyi Taw. 
 
RANGOON 00000104  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
 
Covering the Election 
--------------------- 
 
¶7.  (SBU)  We expect newspapers will be very cautious in their 
election coverage.  Editors have told our trainers that they know 
nothing about elections, and many admit that they have not seen a 
copy of the 2008 constitution.  In addition to being uninformed, 
many Burmese journalists are deeply cynical about the elections. 
Journalists tell us many average Burmese feel similarly: ignorant 
and cynical about elections.   Journalists see themselves facing the 
burdens of informing their readers about the fundamentals of 
democracy, citizens' rights under the eventual election laws, and 
the nuts and bolts of voting while also eventually reporting on the 
campaigns.  Observers expect censored, selective coverage of 
election preparations could benefit government-affiliated 
candidates.  Some editors have told us they may opt not to report on 
the elections at all if they can't do so fairly. 
 
¶8.  (SBU)  No one knows where the GOB will draw the line regarding 
election coverage.  Censor Board director Tint Swe said that 
journalists would be able to interview all candidates without prior 
permission and publish what is said.  However, a police Special 
Branch officer described to one of our trainers the following rule 
for journalists covering the election: "Don't behave like an 
activist and don't send information out of the country."  Editors 
plan to seek further guidance once the election laws are published. 
 
 
Comment: Building Journalism Skills 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶9.  (SBU)  Despite continued media restrictions in Burma, Post has 
been able to arrange successful journalism training programs in 
Rangoon.  The reporters, editors, and even the Censor Board director 
-- to a more limited degree -- are interested in strengthening the 
role of media in the country.  As is the case with so many other 
aspects of Burmese society, however, the whims of the generals can 
set back progress quickly and painfully.  With the elections 
approaching, we aim to continue providing training opportunities to 
journalists and will monitor how much the government allows -- or 
restricts -- the flow of information.