Myanmar
In 2011 the Myanmarese government initiated a series of reforms including a relaxation of its harsh censorship on the country's media. While IMS was previously engaged primarily with supporting media to ensure a regular flow of objective and independent information to the people in Myanmar from the outside, the recent developments show signs of positive progress. With new opportunities and challenges for the country's often young journalists, IMS in close partnership with local media, will be looking to support the work of local journalists and the creation of a sustainable media sector to support the country’s emerging democracy.Archive
- Myanmar’s government eases control of the media
- Change is in the air: An assessment of media development challenges and opportunities in Myanmar
- Stop cyber attacks against independent Burmese media
- Burmese video journalists in the running for an Oscar
- Burma documentary hits box office record in UK
- Broad support in Denmark for Burmese VJs
- Support rally for Burma VJs in Copenhagen
- Speech by Thomas Hughes at the sixth Burma Media Conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand, 21-23 February 2009
- Next steps for Burmese media
- Burma film won prize at Sundance Festival
- Two awards to film about Burmese journalists
- Burmese journalists portrayed in new documentary film
Burmese journalists portrayed in new documentary film
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A documentary portraying the dangerous work carried out by Burmese video journalists operating inside Burma and smuggling videos out to show the world sheds new light on working conditions for media in Burma. "Burma VJs - reporting from a closed country" was conceived and directed by Danish documentarist Anders Østergaard in cooperation with MagicHour film production company and with support from IMS
In conjunction with the world premiere, deputy director of IMS, Thomas Hughes, participated in a panel discussion about the situation facing Burmese media following the screening.
IMS provided insight into the situation for Burmese media to the film crew, drawing on IMS' the expertise about Burmese media.
In connection with the support party for Burmese VJs, organised by CPH:DOX on Friday 14 November in Kødbyen in Copenhaven, IMS offered to match all incoming donations krone to krone and accepted to care for the handling of the funds to ensure that all donations are devoted to supporting the continued work of VJs in Burma.
The "Joshuas" of Burma
Equipped with small video cameras, undercover video journalists produce video footage inside Burma and smuggle the material out to the outside world. The Burmese VJs operate under extremely dangerous working conditions as they face imprisonment or worse if caught in the act by the Burmese government authorities.
These VJs are the heroes portrayed in the new documentary by Anders Østergaard, "Burma VJs - reporting from a closed country" which is shown for the first time tonight at the Copenhagen Documentary Festival CPH:DOX.
During last year's uprisings by the country's monks, cracks became visible in the media wall. All foreign media were banned from entering Burma. Inside Burma, however, the film crew followed "Joshua", a VJ who became the leader of a small team that filmed events inside Burma and smuggled the material out and shown to the world via satellite link.
Fearing for the life of himself and his loved ones, the true identity of "Joshua" remains a secret to this day.
"Burma VJs" was nominated for the Amnesty Award at CPH:DOX in competition with nine other films that focus on important aspects of human rights.
For more information about the film, please contact IMS or MagicHour.
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