Freedom of the Press - Burma (2002)

Status: Not Free
Legal Environment: 30
Political Influences: 40
Economic Pressures: 26
Total Score: 96

Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 56
Religious Groups: n/a
Ethnic Groups: Burman (68 percent), Shan (9 percent), Karen (7 percent), Rakhine (4 percent), Chinese (3 percent), Mon (2 percent), Indian (2 percent), other (5 percent)
Capital: Ragoon

The military junta, which controls all aspects of Burmese society, owns and controls all daily newspapers and domestic radio and television stations. It subjects private periodicals to prepublication censorship, and does not allow coverage of a wide range of subjects. Some weekly publications are exempt. Most of these are published by the government. Laws and decrees criminalize possession and use of unregistered telephones, fax machines, computers and modems, and software. Foreign journalists are frequently denied admission to Burma, and several cover it from Thailand. In July, veteran political activist and journalist San San Nweh was released from jail. However, at least 18 other journalists and media workers remain in prison in life-threatening conditions, according to the International Press Institute.