Burma
IMS is engaged in supporting media to ensure a regular flow of objective and independent information to the people in Burma. The challenges of this task are daunting, as are the penalties facing those engaged in such work. Consequently, IMS activities are low-key and aimed at supporting key actors. Given the limited access to Burma activities are carried out in cooperation with regional and international partners.Archive
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Next steps for Burmese media
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At the sixth Burma Media Conference held in Chiang Mai in Thailand between 21-23 February 2009, the inter-linkage between media development and press freedom was debated
- Press freedom is a necessary precursor for media development, said IMS deputy director Thomas Hughes in his presentation regarding the inter-linkage between media development and press freedom on the first day of the sixth Burma Media Conference organised by the Burma Media Association.
Speaking to an audience that counted journalists and writers including representatives of the Burmese-language shortwave radio stations, publications in Burmese and English as well as international journalists, media agencies and press freedom organisations, Thomas Hughes went on to say:
- Without such freedoms, media development activities will have a significantly reduce impact. In this context, too often standard media development activities are taken from transitional or democratisation contexts and applied in societies where there are severe press freedom restrictions. Unless the media are able to freely communicate with the public, they will not be able to play their role as the fourth estate. Any support given is often therefore ‘preparation in waiting' for a time when they can write and say what they wish. If the goal is to bring broader dialogue and greater awareness to a society, then there must be press freedom.
The right steps for Burma media
During the conference, participants raised serious concerns over the backlash of the Saffron revolution, which has resulted in long prison sentences of those involved. At the same time, however, some in view of the upcoming election in 2010 expressed slight optimism, while others suggested the election might result in even harder concessions on press freedom.
With reference to the current situation facing media in Burma, Thomas Hughes explained his points of views, arguing that:
- Although the outright pursuit of press freedom in Burma at the moment would be hard, it is nevertheless important that until press freedom exists within the country, there must be a focus on supporting those exiled media able to produce independent content and that this support must be predictable and long-term to allow these media to plan for the future to improve both the standards of their content and the delivery mechanisms, as well as to improve their own income generating activities.
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