New Freedoms, New Challenges

Fostering a professional and inclusive media in Burma

New Freedoms, New Challenges

With USAID support, Internews has been laying the foundations of a more inclusive media in Burma, a sector whose health is vital for the democratization and peace processes.

For half a century, the people of Burma virtually lost contact with the international community, and with each other.

Today, two generations of lost conversations are starting again. Few dare predict the future ahead of key national elections in 2015, but for the first time in decades, there may be a decisive chance to contribute to a free and open Burmese society.

These are extraordinary times for the many Internews-trained professionals, some of whom attended covert journalism workshops beginning more than a decade ago and have since gone on to become leading figures in the emerging media landscape.

Moving forward, Internews is working to amplify emerging citizen voices and embrace increased access to information, the ongoing peace and democratic processes, and the tidal wave of possibilities sweeping Burma from an enthusiastic international private sector. The challenges that lie ahead of Burma’s civil society are many, and they are daunting. But drawing on lessons from over a decade of work in and around the country, Internews uniquely understands how this burgeoning media sector
can become empowered to serve as a necessary agent of political and social change.

This report introduces and showcases the incredible work of some of the journalists we’ve worked with over the years. I hope you’ll join me in celebrating their successes, while supporting them in the significant challenges that still lie ahead.

New Freedoms, New Challenges introduces and showcases the incredible work of some of the journalists Internews has worked with over the years and plans on supporting in the significant challenges that still lie ahead.

Download the PDF of the report.

This report was kindly republished with permission. For more information please see the Internews website.