Wiston Papers

Here's what I learned in Burma/Myanmar*

*The U.S. government refers to Myanmar as Burma rather than the new name adopted by that nation.  I chose to use both terms  here because my workshop was sponsored by the the United States. However, I used Myanmar when working with the reporters.

I spent March in Burma/Myanmar conducting broadcast journalism training at the invitation of the American Embassy in Rangoon/Yangon.  The first two weeks I worked with television journalists at a private network called SkyNet.  It’s a satellite-delivered multi-channel service similar to DirecTV and Dish, but with local newscasts.

Week two I was upcountry in Tatkone, site of the government-owned radio and television operation MRTV.  My workshop participants were a mixture of radio reporters and TV video editors.

The experience was both informative and gratifying.  It reminded me again of what I have learned during nearly three decades of media training around the world…freedom of expression and of the press is a luxury that should never be taken for granted.  And the struggle against challenges to hard-fought journalism rights to inform the public is a daily battle that requires constant vigil. 

Burma/Myanmar is rapidly opening its borders to the international community.  President Thein Sein has instituted a number of reforms that have liberalized several segments of society.  Among these are a relaxation of the onerous press restrictions in place during the harshest days of the previous military dictatorship. 

The journalists I spoke with seem genuinely optimistic about their ability to report meaningful stories about issues that were forbidden only a few years ago.  One Rangoon/Yangon journalist in his 60s one day brought me the English-language edition of the weekly Myanmar Times.  He pointed to every front page story of that day and explained, “None of these stories would have been allowed in print in the past.  That’s a good sign,” he added.

Even some exiled journalists and media organizations have begun to return to Burma/Myanmar encouraged, apparently, by the aforementioned prospect of relaxed media restrictions.

On April first, the first daily newspapers began publication.  The government has granted licenses to the operation of several publications and others are sure to follow.  Inevitably some newspapers will fail due to stiff competition, audience indifference, and lack of financial support for long-term sustainability.  But a few will succeed. 

Of course, there will be reversals in the movement toward greater press freedom in Burma/Myanmar.  Despite the government’s pledge for more openness and cooperation with the media, a proposed new press law was introduced in Parliament only weeks ago that would reinstate some of the more repressive prohibitions of the past.  Although that proposal was not enacted in the Parliamentary session that ended in March, the issue most certainly will generate robust discussion and debate as the media struggle to keep their new-found freedoms and lobby for more relaxation in the future.

The quality of broadcast journalism in Burma/Myanmar is far behind most developed nations.  There are virtually no journalism programs at the university level.  Almost all radio and television editors and reporters have print backgrounds and no experience in writing and reporting for broadcast.

Those entry-level journalists who enter the field after graduating from universities have degrees in history, economics, business and other non-media disciplines.  Although the knowledge these young reporters bring to the newsroom from their university classrooms is valuable, it in no way prepares them for the skills required to identify sources, gather information, and disseminate news in a meaningful, articulate manner to an increasingly sophisticated and demanding audience.

If Burma/Myanmar, her media and journalists are to compete successfully for audiences and revenue, they must produce much higher quality news products that currently is the case.

Burma/Myanmar is seeking international partners with businesses that can invest in the nation’s rich economic potential.  An equally important investment is the nation's need to engage in permanent relations with media organizations and trainers to elevate the quality of its information sector.

The media training I conducted should be just one of several initiatives pursued by both the American Embassy as well as Burma/Myanmar universities and media organizations.

Americans often complain about how the news media cover stories.  I often join the chorus of criticism when I see sloppy, inaccurate reporting or even worse...instances of plagiarism, distortion and one-sided coverage.

For all our warts, we enjoy one of the rarest privileges of a democratic society.  A robust, enthusiastic, assertive—and yes—often infuriating free media.  

My trip to Burma/Myanmar reminded me that I’d rather have the opportunity to voice my dissatisfaction with the quality of radio, television, newspaper, magazine and online journalism than to be completely in the dark.

The light of news and information is beginning to shine brighter in Burma/Myranmar.  That is welcome sunshine indeed.

Steve Coon

April 05, 2013