In 2007, Fergal Keane reported for Index on the near impossibility of working as a reporter in Burma. Returning in 2012, he found much had changed. But though the military is slowly loosening its grip, restrictions remain
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Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi arrived in Geneva today for the start of a 17-day tour of Europe, visiting the continent for the first time in 24 years. The politician, who returned to the southeast Asian country in 1988 and has led its pro-democracy movement, was restricted from leaving Burma for her speaking out against the country’s brutal military regime. During her trip, Suu Kyi will accept the Nobel Peace Prize she won in 1991, but could not collect at the time because of fears of being prevented from re-entering Burma. The activist was this year elected to the country’s Parliament.
The election of Aung San Suu Kyi was another step in Burma’s advance to democracy. But journalists are aware that the small gains made by the media could be taken back. Tom Fawthrop reports
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Burma’s opposition leader has been banned from criticising previous governments in TV and radio election campaigns. Aung San Suu Kyi has said that government censors are not allowing her party to criticise previous military-run governments when it promotes its policies on state-run radio and television ahead of next month’s elections. Suu Kyi’s statement will be broadcast on 14 and 22 March, and will be the first time the opposition leader has been given the opportunity to use the state media to promote her party.