Survey confirms public demand for free press

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 17:22 Khaing Su

New Delhi (Mizzima) – A recently conducted public poll shows a majority of Burma’s population desires an end to the country’s pervasive press scrutiny and censorship.

Starting September 1, the Peace and Diversity Party (PDP) conducted a weeklong 14-question survey of a thousand people in Mingladon Township in Rangoon, with all respondents who returned their answer sheets stating their desire for freedom of the press.

"For the public, it is better if they can enjoy more press freedom. We are not in the position of enjoying much freedom. All 100 people [that returned their survey] made the same choice [for press freedom]," Nay Myo Wai, PDP general secretary, told Mizzima.

"There is a sense in the mind of the people that they all know there will be less inequality and injustice if they can enjoy greater press freedom. If there is press freedom, we can know the truth and we can consider what is right and what is wrong," he continued.

The survey, while making efforts to cover a wide swath of the community, including teachers, workers, the unemployed, housewives and uneducated, was nonetheless limited in scope, looking a small portion of the Township and realizing a mere ten percent of surveys returned. Owing to security measures in Burma, it is problematic to conduct a broad, scientific survey within in the country.

Without any changes, laws stipulate there is to be a Press Record Office opened in every township and any individual or organization that wishes to produce a publication must first go through their local Press Record Office. If there are any mistakes or untrue facts, authors and publishers are liable to face legal action. However, information relating to state security is to be restricted by the Union’s legislative body, with any publication except those inciting subversion against the state and mass riot entitled to protection according to the law.

The law also prescribes that any publications must be printed under the author and publisher's true identities and with corresponding identification numbers. If an author does want to publish with a pen name, the literature must pass through the process of censorship as currently exists.

The survey also collated public opinion on land ownership rights, management of government budget, the right to found basic educational institutions, management of the school system, management of employers and workers affairs as well as management of electricity and healthcare.

All respondents, according to the PDP, answered that they want to be able to annually access information on the state budget and appraise and provide input on the budget. A majority of respondents also answered that they prefer an education system in which students can learn through critical thinking and free debate.

The survey compliments PDP’s work on voter education ahead of the November polling date.

When survey respondents were asked whether they understand enough about the 2008 constitution, only 36 respondents stated they had even seen a copy of the constitution, with but a single individual having read the document. Nay Myo Wai added, however, that the respondent said he did not understand the content of the constitution.

The PDP is one of 42 political parties registered with the country's Election Commission to contest this year's election scheduled for November 7. It plans to field seven candidates and Nay Myo Wai is to contest in the Mingaladon constituency of the Amyothar Hluttaw (Upper House).