Myanmar: Change is in the air

This report presents the findings of a media environment assessment in Myanmar within the context of the present socio-political and economic developments in the country and its emerging media landscape.

At the request of the Norwegian, Swedish and subsequently Danish Embassies in Bangkok, International Media Support (IMS) conducted an assessment of the current media environment inside Myanmar during two missions between July and November 2011. The assessment was motivated by a democratic reform process initiated in March 2011 when the 50-year reign of the military was replaced by a civilian government. A number of small steps taken so far by the Myanmar government in relation to media have provided an opening to expand the country’s freedom of expression space. The objective of the assessment was thus to identify opportunities and provide a set of recommendations for potential international interventions on media development within the country for the short and long-term perspective.

Findings from the assessment show that the country is undergoing a rapid process of reform on many fronts after 50 years of military rule. According to observers, the changes, which relate to economic, social and political re- form, are genuine although some also view the government’s initiatives with skepticism, unsure of the underlying agenda of the members of the former military government that now make up the new civilian leadership. The challenges of reforming a country which has been under authoritarian rule for 50 years and is home to the longest running ethnic conflict in Asia are many. In light of this, the steps taken so far towards democratic reform could be described as major leaps on the path towards a more democratic society.