Abstract

The history of journalism in Myanmar makes fascinating reading and could be instructive in assessing the country s political transition if freedom of the press takes root and prospers Progress toward press freedom has occurred very rapidly in Myanmar since 2012 but we still see too many instances of journalists being detained and even charged over what they have published Any comments here about the courage and political instincts of Myanmar s media are largely based on reading English-language Myanmar media Nevertheless it is obviously possible to observe what Myanmar journalists are writing even from a slight distance and still be impressed by how valuable and reliable the best Myanmar journalism is But not surprisingly there is also some Myanmar journalism which is not so impressive as happens with journalism in any country