SPDC media and Saddam's capture
DVB ( 19 December 2003 )
The international media have been flooded with news of the
capture of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, but newspapers
inside Burma have carried only a short report.
DVB correspondent Maung Too contacted a writer and renowned
journalist U Htein Lin, both from Rangoon to learn about what
are the Burmese people talking about concerning the capture.
A writer from Rangoon commented about the pro-Saddam Hussein
stance of the SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) report
on the capture of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
Unidentified writer : The military dictators will not remain
like this. They want to follow in the footsteps of Saddam
Hussein. This is not new to the Burmese people because the
Burmese people, especially in Rangoon, have nicknamed the
MRTV (Myanmar Radio and Television) and MWD (Myawaddy television)
as the Iraqi news agency and mocked the news as being broadcast
by the Iraqi TV and broadcasting station. You would understand
by that mockery the sentiments of the Burmese. They are saying
all this at the local tea shops where most people hang out.
Well, the people do not expect anything from the news station,
especially from the despotic station. We all listen to news
from foreign stations. The people are all aware of that.
When asked where he first heard the news, he answered:
Unidentified writer : We heard the news from all the foreign
news stations. The radio stations most Burmese people listen
to are the VOA (Voice of America), BBC, and DVB among others.
The people are always trying to tune to the various meter
bands to listen to a clear broadcast as much as possible.
The airtime of the BBC and the VOA broadcasts are less and
they do not carry Burmese news that much and not in detail.
On the other hand, RFA (Radio Free Asia) gives details but
DVB provides more details. Frankly, we ourselves have to tune
in to different stations to get confirmation about the news.
We cannot rely on the junta's news media because we know that
they will say a lot of nonsense.
Similarly, DVB asked the following to former Botataung Daily
(Rangoon newspaper) editor U Htein Lin.
DVB : Well, Saddam Hussein’s capture was headline news
and front page news, complete with photographs, in most of
the world's newspapers. At the same time, the Burmese radio
and media - Myanmar Alin and Kyemon, reported only a small
bit of news. What is your view on that?
U Htein Lin : It is the usual thing. You have to be thankful
for even getting that small bit of news. Some important news
reports were never published. It just goes to show they do
not have any desire to disseminate.
DVB : From where did you first learn about Saddam Hussein’s
arrest?
U Htein Lin : We first learned about the news from the foreign
broadcasting stations. Everybody was excited and motivated
to listen to the news. If you look at the reaction in the
media and news reports the military junta's position is evident.
They considered the US-led invasion of Iraq as a war of aggression
and only published news that favoured Saddam Hussein. But,
when Saddam Hussein was captured they carried only a very
brief news report, just for the sake of information. However,
the Burmese people were very delighted to hear about the news
of Saddam Hussein’s capture.
BBC Monitoring service
|
