Myanmar press still wary, Eleven boss admits
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The transition to democracy for Myanmar is not as smooth as outsiders may think, said Than Htut Aung, chairman and CEO of Yangon-based Eleven Media Group and latest recipient of Golden Pen Freedom Award from the World Association of Newspapers and News Pu
Htut Aung said during an acceptance speech that conservative elements were still trying to re-introduce press controls in Myanmar. “We are still living under pressure [and] fear is everywhere,” he said, adding that millions still live in poverty while hundreds of thousands reside in refugee camps.
He acknowledged the award as a gesture of support from the international community and thanked WAN-IFRA on behalf of the people of Myanmar, however.
Erik Bjerager, president of the World Editor Forum praised Eleven Media for its role in being a force for change in Myanmar. Bjerager noted that Htut Aung was briefly arrested in 2003 for defying censorship and the media group continues “to broaden the boundary of freedom of expression in Myanmar”.
“Reforms [in Myanmar] can be attributed to the determination of never giving up.”
Adding a note of caution, Bjerager said the list of challenges in Myanmar remains lengthy and the process of reform remains complex and long.
