Burma opens door to private daily papers

Burma’s new information minister might allow private daily newspapers to be published, marking the country’s boldest media reform yet.

The quasi-civilian government of president Thein Sein has liberalised media regulation since taking over from a military junta in March 2011, abolishing direct censorship last month, but private groups are still not allowed to publish daily newspapers.

Information minister Aung Kyi – who took over from a hardliner in a cabinet reshuffle last week – wants to introduce a new media law soon and set up a press council acceptable to all, his deputy, Ye Htut, said.

“Our minister would like to see private dailies early next year,” he said yesterday. “For the emergence of private dailies, there are two prerequisites: a media law acceptable to all and a press council representing the journalists. So we are now looking for ways and means so that private dailies can emerge early next year.”

There are about 200 private weeklies and four state-owned dailies in Burma.