Burma Update: Feburary 5, 2008

Highlight

Committee to Protect Journalists: Attacks on the Press in 2007 [Annual Worldwide Survey]

"Burmese journalists came under heavy assault in August and September when covering pro-democracy street protests and the military government’s retaliatory crackdown, marking significant deterioration in what was already one of the world’s most repressive media environments. The government banned coverage of the uprising and sought to isolate the nation by impeding Internet and phone service... "

Burma Partnership Update: Burma in January Last Week

"... Since after September crackdown, the military authorities have trailed more than 100 activists under different repressive charges and some been already given prison terms. On January 23, ten prominent leaders and members of the 88 Generation Group including Min Ko Naing were charged with illegal publication of statements by the regime. The lawyer who is to defend them was not allowed to meet with them ..."


News from Burmese Media

Democratic Voice of Burma: Monastery Stops Free Education Service
Democratic Voice of Burma: Arakan Muslims Denied ID Cards
Mizzima News: Dangers for Journalists in Burma on the Rise
Narinjara News: One Soldier Killed, One Missing
Kaladan Press Network: Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Visits Burmese Refugee camps
Kachin News Group: Kachin State Commander's Son to Build New Airport
Khonumthung News: Farmlands Confiscated for Tea Plantation
News Light of Myanmar: Commission for Drafting the State Constitution Holds Meeting 11/2008
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Thailand’s “Long Necks” Face Resettlement Obstacles
Irrawaddy News Magazine: More Karen Refugees Flee to Thai Border
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Drug Abuse and HIV/AIDS Rampant in Kachin State
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Missing Blogger Seen in Detention, Opposition Party Says
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Activists Call for Beijing Olympics Boycott
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burma’s Elderly Turn to Begging for a Living


News from Global Media

Christian Today: Rambo Star Joins Activists to Decry Burma Junta
People's Daily: Chinese Residents in Myanmar to Hold Lion Dance Competitions
The Sydney Morning Herald: Tourism Plummets 50 Percent After Crackdown


Opinion/Other

Bangkok Post: Burma: Urgent Need for Reform [Editorial]
Mizzima News: Naypyitaw Paralyzed as an Ailing Than Shwe Clings to Power [Analysis] - Larry Jagan
Mizzima News: Time to Rejuvenate the Exile Burmese Government [Commentary] - Dr. Sein Myint
Shan Herald Agency for News: From Tragedy to Triumph, a Life in Shan State - Antonio Graceffo
Irrawaddy News Magazine: It’s Do-or-Die Time for NLD [Commentary] - Kyaw Zwa Moe


Report/Briefer

Shan Herald Agency for News: Shan Diary, Issue No.13, January 2008