Networked Communicators in Burma Fight for Democracy

1. Please note that photos have been removed from this presentation to make it small enough to upload to the internet Networked Communicators in Burma Fight for Democracy Soe Myint, Mizzima News Yogyakarta, Indonesia November 4-7, 2007

2. Status of Freedom of Expression in Burma • Junta restricts all forms of information gathering and dissemination • Publishing any unauthorized materials is a crime • Newspapers, magazines, radio and television are under tight control of Junta • Foreign journalists rarely get visas into country • Internet is severely restricted and censored - yahoo, hotmail, you tube along with many independent news and political sites banned • Less than 1% of population can use internet access, and most of them use in few - monitored - internet cafes in Rangoon and Mandalay

4. Networked CommunicatorsEmerging Independent Media in Burma • Citizen journalists, bloggers, stringers • Activists providing information and news • Burma-focused news organizations based on bordering countries • Overseas Burmese Radio Stations and Satellite Televisions

5. Blogs Websites C-Box Forums Mobile Phones Satellite Phones Proxy Servers Secure Tunnels Using Encryption, Steganography Digital Cameras, Video Cameras CDs, Memory Sticks Posters, Pamphlets, Publications, Painting Loop Holes in the System (satellite dishes) People to People Means of Independent Communications

6. Mizzima News’ Experiences • From Humble Beginnings in 1999, Mizzima is a window into news and events in Burma • Work between offices in and outside Burma • Offices in India and Thailand • Units in Burma • Websites, (www.mizzima.com)Blogs, Publications, On-line Pod- casting, • Establishing Units in Burma and Strengthening information flows and access between inside and outside Burma • Provide news and images to Burmese and non-Burmese (including Overseas Burmese radio stations and satellite televisions)

7. Mizzima’s Role in Recent Protests • The difference between 1998 uprising and 2007 uprising - media and technology • Civilian journalists and Mizzima stringers sending out information and images of protests and crack down to outside Burma, using technology and small equipments • Internet a major medium • Reaching out to international media, by providing images and video footage including CNN, AFP, AP, Reuters and media agencies

8. Junta Crack-Down on Information Flows and Access • Imposes curfew and bans public gatherings • Soldiers killed scores of peoples, including a Japanese photo journalist, Kenji Nagai • Then, Internet speed slowed down to prevent images going out • Cut off phone lines of journalists, politicians and activists • Blocks popular Burmese blogs • Whoever with cameras and phones were searched and seized • Finally, total internet shut-down

9. Shaping the Protests? • Media play a role to shape the movement as a connecting point • Media focused on Rangoon, not other parts of country • Junta focused Rangoon for crack-down

10. Challenges • Exploring other means and ways other than Junta-controlled internet and telecommunication • Possible worst scenario of the show-down between Junta and Activists/Monks • Safety of the communicators and stringers in Burma • Need for financial, technical and material support for them