Burma: New hope for private newspapers

Burma's new Information Minister may give the green light for private daily newspapers in coming months, marking what would be the boldest media reform yet.

The quasi-civilian government of President Thein Sein has liberalised media norms since taking over from a military junta in March 2011, but private groups are still not allowed to publish daily newspapers.

The new Information Minister, Aung Kyi, now wants to introduce a new media law soon and set up a press council acceptable to all, said Deputy Information Minister Ye Htut. "Our minister would like to see private dailies early next year," he said.

Reuters