Burma is tightening restrictions on press freedom, despite their recent promises to reform and end censorship, warned the press watchdog, Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF).
In a report published on Friday, RSF said,
“modernization and liberalization of the media and adoption of media legislation are not going to be the result of a country’s democratization but are inescapable preconditions for its democratization, ones that must be tackled right away.”
The media in Burma experienced the relaxing of several repressive censorship rules during 2011.
However, RSF noted that domestic and international media personnel have been subjected to pressure by the government and by domestic Burmese groups, including personal attacks on reporters and media organisation websites, for their coverage of recent sectarian unrest.
Not adhering to the ending of censorship would be a step backwards in the Burmese government’s pledge to walk the road to democracy, the report said.