Freedom Of Expression

In the fifties, Burmese press was one of the freest in Asia - before the coup in 1962, there were more than 30 newspapers. Now there is just one national newspaper, the New Light of Myanmar, one television station and one radio station which are all state-controlled. In Burma, there is no freedom of expression or association.

The junta has laws against the convening of more than five people, all media is state-controlled and even art exhibits must pass through censorship screening. Restrictions are enforced through an elaborate military intelligence infrastructure and other state-controlled mechanisms. All films, books, and magazines must be presented tot he Press Scrutiny Board before being made public.

Each publication must mention the three "national causes": non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and consolidation of national sovereignty.