Official censorship lifted in Burma

Direct censorship of the media on Monday was abolished in Burma, where the press remains under severe restrictions. Private newspapers are banned and there is pervasive censorship in newsrooms. But journalists are no longer required to submit their writings to the authorities before publication, as was the case under the military regime.The military junta in power for nearly half a century gave way in March 2011 to a civilian government.Former generals there are many, but significant reforms have been undertaken since the transition. "This is a step in the right direction and it's going in the right direction, but the question of freedom of the press is not set. It can be expected that the government seeks to retain control of the press, probably arguing national security, "said Aung Thu Nyein, a member of the Institute Vahu Development, a think tank in Thailand. Once all the items and cultural products such as books, songs and even cartoons had to go through the official censorship, which relief began in June 2011. The Ministry of Information has authorized a half of weekly and monthly private without his approval. Monday, 80 newspapers are the political and religious remaining six titles that have benefited from this measure, said Tint Swe, head of the censorship department. In addition to this opening in the press, the law on public gatherings was lightened, many political prisoners were released and elections. During partial legislative April 1, the National League for Democracy (NLD) won 43 of the 45 constituencies involved and Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel peace historical figure of the opposition, made its debut in Parliament . The Solidarity Party and the Union's development in power but retains a very large majority. During the past year the press has explored the limits of the opening. Aung San Suu Kyi has often been the "one" of newspapers have become more critical of the government, daring unthinkable before mid-2011. If the official controls placed Burma at 169th out of 179 in the ranking of press freedom by the NGO Reporters without Borders (RSF) have been removed, the sector remains closely supervised. Journalists also fear that censorship has made that move. "The editors have more responsibility, because there are laws that can prosecute journalists for their writing," said Wai Phyo himself editor of the Weekly Eleven. Christophe Deloire, CEO of RSF has welcomed the lifting of official censorship from the BBC : "If this decision is implemented, it will be a historic break with fifty years of censorship." However, he added: "In Burma freedom of the press passes successively through ups and downs, which is why we must remain cautious. (...) We must first be vigilant about the effective implementation of the end of censorship. It can in fact always be done after publication, repression vis-à-vis journalists or publications. From this point of view, it would have announced the dissolution of PSRD is achieved. It also requires that the decision be extended to all types of media. "