Publishers and editors in Burma (Myanmar) were informed yesterday that all censorship by the government’s Press Scrutiny and Registration Division (PSRD) has been lifted. However, publishers must still present their publications to the Ministry of Information once they appear in print.
Nai Chan Toik, Chief Editor of the Than Lwin Times newspaper in Mon State, said, “In the morning at about 10 a.m., an official from the [PSRD] called us and explained they lifted the pre-publication censorship. But, at the same time, they told us some regulations and limitations after printing. We still have to report or present to the department.”
He added, “It is good we don’t have to be busy with pre-publication censorship.”
A similar meeting was arranged in Rangoon (Yangon) in the PSRD office on Winkaba Street. About 60 publishers and editors attended an hour-long meeting during which officials explained the rules and regulations now that pre-publication censorship has been abolished.
“We welcome the progress and new system. At the same time, journalists have more responsibilities regarding their reporting. They must be careful with the facts and words they use,” said Min Min New, an editor from Than Lwin Times.
As of yet, Burma does not have a press law outlining how the government and publishers should handle media reporting, defamation, and inaccuracy, though one is to be introduced in parliament in the coming weeks. The government still retains its “Electronic Transactions Law,” by which reporters can be detained if their reports are perceived to be in opposition with civil wellbeing or government policies.
Pre-publication censorship for publications such as storybooks, cartoons, arts, and children’s literature, and related to health, education, economics, technology, and sports were lifted gradually starting in June 2011.
