Private newspapers back on sale in Myanmar

Deutsche Welle, 1 April 2013

Privately owned newspapers have gone on sale in Myanmar for the first time in half a decade. The move is part of a host of democratic reforms introduced by President Thein Sein after years of military rule.

The four daily newspapers hit the streets on Monday some four months after Myanmar's government granted citizens the right to apply for publication rights.

Privately-owned newspapers had been banned in the country, also known as Burma, since it came under military rule in the 1960s.

A total of 16 papers were approved, including dailies published by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League form Democracy party and Thein Sein's ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party.

The president, who came to power in March 2011, has sought to usher in a series of democratic reforms after more than half a century of military rule. As well as bringing an end to Myanmar's state monopoly on the media, his civilian government has overseen the release of thousands of political prisoners including Nobel Laureate Suu Kyi.

ccp/kms (AFP, AP)

Related Article:

Burmese snap up first private newspapers in 50 years - New