If freedom of the press is a foundation of democracy, the return of privately owned daily newspapers in Myanmar earlier this month marks a significant step in the government’s reform process. For the first time since 1964, independent newspapers are on sale, ending the state monopoly on daily-newspaper publishing. To many in Myanmar ― those born after dictator Ne Win’s fall from power ― these are the first non-government daily newspapers they have ever seen.

The international community has welcomed this development, which is a significant milestone in the country’s journey into a new era of openness. Four new dailies were reportedly well received by the public, selling out quickly on April 1. Still, many have greeted the event with caution. A brick has been laid to form a foundation for a free press, and people hope it will eventually lead to the end of strict press censorship in the country.

It was inevitable that the government would have to promote some degree of media freedom under its democratisation process. Phase by phase, in 2012, the Ministry of Information announced that it would begin taking applications for the publication of private daily newspapers. The ministry finally granted permission, and as of this month, 16 operating licences for dailies have been granted. Before the beginning of April, there were six dailies, all owned by the state, including the English-language New Light of Myanmar.

This media reform is a small step, but it will bring significant change. From now on, the authorities will have to put up with unfamiliar public criticism, scrutiny and investigation. They will have to live in the real world, where people judge them based on their work. In this world they will hear real voices instead of only issuing dictats and propaganda.

Relaxing control of the media enhances democratisation, and democracy will invite foreign investment. But this too will come with a price. The new environment means the government is not only subject to the opinion of the local media but also the foreign press. It remains to be seen how the authorities will tolerate different opinions when it comes to sensitive issues like their conflicts with armed ethnic groups or the 2008 military-drafted constitution.

The government can still abuse its power, though, since resident journalists are required to submit their articles for review after publication. Pre-publication censorship has ended, but the laws still leave room for the authorities to threaten the media. The real challenge is whether the government can resist the temptation to wield its enormous power to silence the media.

As for Myanmar’s journalists, it is a war they have not yet won completely, and many will continue trying to remove restrictive press laws. The struggle to lessen government control is an old “war”, but the new challenge is just as important as fighting for a free press. The freedom they have longed for comes with great responsibilities.

Unlike the state-run papers, the private dailies will have to serve the people and earn their trust. And they can only achieve that if they perform their duty well and stick to their work ethic. Strict censorship caused the industry to lose generations of journalists. The country’s new generation of journalists has to start anew, learning the craft of writing what the government doesn’t want to read, and in the process trying to avoid falling foul of the law and the ire of the authorities. Like journalists elsewhere, they will have to learn not to be a mouthpiece for anyone but the public. Corruption comes in all forms in the modern world, and it is their duty to fight against it.

The journalists face an uphill task. Myanmar’s media reform is still in its infancy. There is a long way to go until genuine press freedom is established. A real test of professionalism can be expected while journalists enjoy fewer restrictions, with their success also dependent on how tolerant the authorities will be.

(The Nation)

(Asia News Network)