The Burmese government says it is ending the longstanding practice of media censorship.
The announcement is one of the most dramatic moves yet towards allowing freedom of expression in the long-repressed nation.
Officials from the government's Press Scrutiny and Registration Department told reporters in Rangoon on Monday they no longer have to submit their work to state censors before publication.
All reporters employed in local print media were previously obligated to send their stories to censors who had the final say in whether or not they could be published.
President Thein Sein's reformist government has already dramatically eased media censorship, allowing local media outlets to print articles that would have been unthinkable during the era of absolute military rule that ended last year.
Meanwhile, Muppets like the Labor MP for Bendigo, Steve Gibbons, suggests media firms should face “commercially significant” fines for publishing blatant untruths or misleading news reports, or temporary suspensions of the right to publish or broadcast. I wonder if the recent Gillard AWU scandal has got anything to do with Gibbons demands?
Remember, Gillard’s print media inquiry has recommended a News Media Council be formed to set journalistic standards and handle complaints for all news and current affairs coverage in print, online, on radio and on television.
And before you know it, under Labor, we’ll have our very own Press Scrutiny and Registration Department.
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