Brain STorming for Democracy for Burma

Current situation demands for brain storming ( thoughts on 24th May, 2009)




I.Social Capacity Building for Democracy


•Why social capacity building for democracy is key for innovation in democratization?
•Social trust formation
•Social nets, social community, social culture
•Transforming social culture to political culture
•Citizens, the fundamental forces for change


II. Informed Citizen ...Informed hoices


•To harness the citizens’ ears and eyes by using media and new media, to become informed citizens
•To set agenda for country’s policy and leadership roles
• To build sustainable human capacity development.
• To solve the problems, share common interest, build the social trust
•To prioritize the society and country’s needs and requirements
•Choices for people’s representatives

III. Conventional and radical democracy for Burma
•The greater public participation and continuous engagement between government and public societies àmore transparent, fair, and effective à choose representative --> effective governance and stable government
•Acknowledging the momentum of globalization and socio-culture change in different demographics
•Innovative strategy and policy making

IV. Countervailing power to SPDC


•Inner mindset of citizen
•The strength of NLD and pro democracy forces
•Roles of religious leaders and student unions
•Initiation of democracy movements by using internet and Information Technology

V. External Drivers for Democracy

•The effectiveness of international sanctions
•Border and exile Pro-democracy forces
•Cutting of International development aid to Burma
•Discontinuation of Social Ties and Economic Ties

Propaganda and Democracy

Propaganda with New Media is required for Democratization in Developing Countries:
_____________________________________________________________
Current Problem facing in Burma: Media Darkness in the absence of Freedom of News Media and New Media in a hardship for democratization









Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
Human Rights Declaration Article (19)





TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive summary
I. Introduction
II. What is Propaganda?
III. Propaganda and Military government
IV. Netizens who love new media
V. Impact of Propaganda in Democracy
VI. Role of Counter propaganda
VII. Current Problem facing in Burma: Media Darkness in the absence of Freedom of News Media and News Media in a hardship for democratization
VIII. Recommendations











Executive Summary


























I. INTRODUCTION
Problem statement
Burma is still far away from democracy and lack of freedom of news media and new media. Its citizens have been living in the darkness of information and media for many years whiles the rest of the world is interconnected in the era of globalization and information age. Under military regime, human rights abuse is practiced in daily basis and it is becoming a socio-political tradition and strict censorship practice is becoming media culture in Burma . The new media industry in Burma is almost totally monopolized by military government and elite minority of tyranny. Without harnessing the public, how could they become informed citizens? How could the people can attain knowledge and information in human rights, democracy and good governance? How could the people have chances to express their desire and claiming the rights of citizens? How could the democratization happen without right propaganda and development of new media?
There is violation of Human rights regarding expression and public is not well informed and become dull in terms of political knowledge. It needs to strengthen participatory democracy by investigating and exposing public relations spin and propaganda, and by promoting media literacy and citizen journalism. In Burma, there is a lack of media freedom which has no right to highlight and illuminate the disclosure of real and true news.
By constructing the media freedom in Burma, sharing transparent information and propaganda for democracy is indeed needed emergently. On the other hand, the military rulers are using their propaganda on all state owned media as the most effective tool to create a socio-political environment where the citizens are ignorant of politics, out of their knowledge of citizen rights and democratization process. Especially people in the rural areas are the most vulnerable and tendency to easily fall into regime’s propaganda trap and psychological warfare. Therefore counter propaganda by new media to military government’s propaganda is required within its full range of freedom and capacity. But on the contrary to free propaganda, there is a danger of liberalization of propaganda. By balancing of propaganda in between the fine line of freedom versus liberalization and monopoly versus tight control, the citizen can be informed well of democracy and human rights knowledge including the transition, liberalization, deepening and consolidation of democracy in the developing countries. Setting media freedom and public propaganda is essential and play crucial role for democratization as well as deepening of democracy. Right public propaganda on media also acts as public education in wider range. Without effective and efficient media in the country, the process of democratization could not get progress and democracy could not be prevailed in that developing country.
Propaganda by new media with its full range of freedom is essential for democratization process and deepening of democracy.
________________________________________________________________________
Arguing statement
Liberalization of news media is dangerous and seems as lies to the public. Liberalization and misuse of propaganda have the negative effects on democracy as that information prevents discouraging debate and allows people to listen only to those opinions that they agree with. Propaganda can lead to partial information associated with Suppression By OmissionHe describes that worse than sensationalistic hype is the “artful avoidance” of stories that might be truly sensational stories (as opposed to sensationalistic stories).Such stories he says are often “downplayed or avoided outright” and that sometimes, “the suppression includes not just vital details but the entire story itself” even important ones., Attack and Destroy the Target,Parenti says, “When omission proves to be an insufficient mode of censorship and a story somehow begins to reach larger publics, the press moves from artful avoidance to frontal assault in order to discredit the story”.In this technique, the media will resort to discrediting the journalist, saying things like this is “bad journalism”, etc., thus attempting to silence the story or distract away from the main issue. Labeling, Preemptive Assumption, Face-Value Transmission, Slighting of Content, False Balancing and Framing.
“The most effective propaganda,” Parenti says, “relies on framing rather than on falsehood. By bending the truth rather than breaking it, using emphasis and other auxiliary embellishments, communicators can create a desired impression without resorting to explicit advocacy and without departing too far from the appearance of objectivity. Framing is achieved in the way the news is packaged, the amount of exposure, the placement (front page or buried within, lead story or last), the tone of presentation (sympathetic or slighting), the headlines and photographs, and, in the case of broadcast media, the accompanying visual and auditory effects.”
Furthermore, he points out that “Many things are reported in the news but few are explained.” Ideologically and politically the deeper aspects are often not articulated: “Little is said about how the social order is organized and for what purposes. Instead we are left to see the world as do mainstream pundits, as a scatter of events and personalities propelled by happenstance, circumstance, confused intentions, bungled operations, and individual ambition — rarely by powerful class interests.”
Furthermore, with concentrated ownership increasing (as is discussed in detail in the next section on this side) a narrower range of discourse can arise, sometimes without realizing. In addition, focusing on leaders’ thoughts is often a kind of propaganda. The new media needs to set the political agenda, but it needs to maintain the public character and prevent them from slipping into a domain of private choosing, unmediated communication, multiplying data, and commerce driven solitude.
II. WHAT IS PROPAGANDA?
Propaganda is a concerted set of messages aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviors of large numbers of people. Propaganda in its most basic sense presents information in order to influence its audience. Propaganda often presents facts selectively (thus lying by omission) to encourage a particular synthesis, or gives loaded messages in order to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented. “Propaganda is neutrally defined as a systematic form of purposeful persuasion that attempts to influence the emotions, attitudes, opinions, and actions of specified target audiences for ideological, political or commercial purposes through the controlled transmission of one-sided messages (which may or may not be factual) via mass and direct media channels.
The desired result is a change of the cognitive narrative of the subject in the target audience to further a political agenda. Propaganda is the deliberate, systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and direct behavior to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist. Propaganda could refer simply to an active process of mass persuasion. Propaganda is designed to influence opinion rather than purely communicate fact; however, there are several important differences between the two. Persuasion utilizes critical argument and weighs all sides of an issue. On the other hand, propaganda is entirely one sided. While a persuasive message works best with a focused and active recipient, propaganda depends on a mindless audience. Propaganda manipulates symbols as well as and basic human emotions and prejudices in order to influence opinion. Propaganda is generally an appeal to emotion and shares techniques with advertising and public relations to create and distribute persuasion.
________________________________________________________________________

Classification of Propaganda
Propaganda can be classified according to the source and nature of the message.
White propaganda generally comes from an openly identified source, and is characterized by gentler methods of persuasion, such as standard public relations techniques and one-sided presentation of an argument.
Black propaganda is identified as being from one source, but is in fact from another. This is most commonly to disguise the true origins of the propaganda, be it from an enemy country or from an organization with a negative public image.
Grey propaganda is propaganda without any identifiable source or author. A major application of grey propaganda is making enemies believe falsehoods using straw arguments.

Elements of Propaganda
Propaganda can serve to rally people behind a cause, but often at the cost of exaggerating, misrepresenting, or even lying about the issues in order to gain that support.
While the issue of propaganda often is discussed in the context of militarism, war and war-mongering, it is around us in all aspects of life.
As the various examples below will show, common tactics in propaganda often used by either side include:
· Using selective stories that come over as wide-covering and objective.
· Partial facts, or historical context
· Reinforcing reasons and motivations to act due to threats on the security of the individual.
· Narrow sources of “experts” to provide insights in to the situation. (For example, the mainstream media typically interview retired military personnel for many conflict-related issues, or treat official government sources as fact, rather than just one perspective that need to be verified and researched).
· Demonizing the “enemy” who does not fit the picture of what is “right”.
· Using a narrow range of discourse, whereby judgments are often made while the boundary of discourse itself, or the framework within which the opinions are formed, are often not discussed. The narrow focus then helps to serve the interests of the propagandists.
_____________________________________________________________________



Propaganda strategies:
Usually propaganda is the true information as it is. It is usually associated with many tactics including incompleteness, inaccuracy, driving the agenda, milking the story (maximizing media coverage of a particular issue by the careful use of briefings, leaking pieces of a jigsaw to different outlets, allowing journalists to piece the story together and drive the story up the news agenda, etc.), exploiting that we want to believe the best of ourselves, perception Management (in particular by using Public Relation firms), reinforcing existing attitudes and simple, repetitious and emotional phrases (e.g. war on terror, axis of evil, weapons of mass destruction, shock and awe, war of liberation, etc)

Harmonization of Right of Access to Information with other Law
All laws that limit the right of access to information should be amended or revoked in order to guarantee the principle of maximum openness. International and national laws defining the right to access public information generally provide for some exceptions to the right such as for the respect of the rights or reputations of others, the protection of national security or of public order and protection of public health or morals.

IV. MILITARY AND PROPAGANDA
History of Military control of information during war time
Military control of information during war time is also a major contributing factor to propaganda, especially when the media go along with it without question. The military recognizes the values of media and information control very well. The military propaganda is usually in association with Overloading the Media, Ideological Appeals, Spinning Information, Press briefings, Withholding Information, Co-Option and Collusion.

Propaganda by Burma Military as an effective weapon for their power

The press is the fourth essential stake of democratization after parliament, the legislature and the judiciary. In Burma, the parliament has not been called and legislature and judiciary body are still defunct. As a result of those happenings created well by the military government, free media as well as effective and useful new media can not come out for democratization process. Apart from those, military junta is so keen on doing of propaganda by state owned media. It is abusing the media as its effective tool to provide false news and ideas as most powerful tool even in time of Global Information Age. The Junta controls every media access now.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------






Burma's military government stepped up its propaganda machine.

(a)Before 1962: before military era

The duration between 1948 and 1962 was under civilian government. There are many news paper and had freedom of press. There are three dozens of news papers in Burmese, English and Chinese as well. There was also an opportunity to make relation with foreign international press agencies. The journalists could go through tog et news even from the prime minister and could say very powerful those days.

(b) 1962 on wards

There is the abrupt change happened in 1962 as general Ne Win led junta seized the state power. They started establishment of press scrutiny board to strict censorship on all forms of print media even in advertising and obituaries. They also overwhelmed and restricted political rights and civil liberties.
The Military regime use the press scrutiny and registration devision as an effective weapon to oppress the freedom of media. They are doing censor on everything-including all daily news papers, weekly and biweekly journals, magazines and radio and television broadcasting too. No printed media could come out without censorship. . Photos, cassette tapes, movies and video footage also need the censor's stamp before reaching the people.
Moreover, all radio, television and internet media are monopolized for propaganda and welfare by the military regime. The opposition parties could not have a chance to express and mention their views as if they have totally no space. The regime also does not allow the political as well as religious discourses. The political debates are not allowed to dos o and The National convention is of sham thing without having dignity and credibility.

(©) Currently oppressing of media at its height

Currently, freedom of press situation in Burma is getting worse and worse. Media related people are feeling defenseless. Thus, people have no voices after all.
Instead of freedom of press and media, they also tries to dominate the media industries by their chronicle owned companies and publishing houses. Private media journalists, and indeed anyone daring to challenge the military regime, are extremely vulnerable to threats, sanctions and imprisonment. Owning books, magazines, cassettes or videotapes considered "hostile to the SPDC" remains a criminal activity that carries a jail sentence. Fires, storms, AIDS, corruption, education, student issues and any events with a death toll are topics forbidden to the media lest the regime’s reputation be damaged. Burma's military exercises tight controls over the Internet, banning access to news websites such as Yahoo or Hotmail. The regime was frustrated by bloggers and civilian journalists during the anti-junta protests, as they provided detailed consecutive accounts of the bloodshed and helped spread the news. The junta disconnected the nation's Internet links at the height of the violence to cut off the information flow about the crackdown.


IV. NETIZENS WHO LOVE NEW MEDIA As Danny Schechter asks on this issue, “why do we in the media go along with this approach time and again? We are not stupid. We are not robots. Too many of us have DIED trying to get this story (and other stories). Ask any journalists and they will tell you that no one tells them what to write or what to do. Yet there is a homogenized flavor and Pentagon echo to much coverage of this war that shames our profession. Why? Is it because reporters buy into the ideology of the mission? Because there are few visible war critics to provide dissenting takes? Or is it because information management has been so effective as to disallow any other legitimate approach? An uncritical stance is part of the problem. Disseminating misinformation often adds up to an inaccurate picture of where we are in this war.”
Stratfor, a global intelligence consultant comments on the war on terrorism saying that the media have become cheerleaders as “Coverage of the ‘war on terrorism’ has reversed the traditional role between the press and the military.” The problem with this, as they continue, is that “The reversal of roles between media and military creates public expectations that can affect the prosecution of the war.” Or, more bluntly put, the media becomes an effective mouthpiece for propaganda.
"What democracy requires is public debate, and not information. Of course, it needs information, too, but the kind of information it needs can be generated only by vigorous popular debate. We do not know what we need to know until we ask the right questions, and we can identify the right questions only by subjecting our own ideas about the world to the test of public controversy. . "
(Christopher Lasch, "Journalism, Publicity, and the Lost Art of Argument," in Media Studies Journal Winter, 1995, Vol. 9 no 1, p. 81)
New media is a term meant to encompass the emergence of digital, computerized, or networked information and communication technologies in the later part of the 20th century. New Media has been used extensively by social movements to educate, organize, share cultural products of movements, communicate and build the coalition to get social change. The good example is Zapatista Army of National Liberation of Chiapas, Mexico was the first major movement to make widely recognized and effective use of New Media for communists and organizing in 1994. Another good example is The WTO Ministerial Conference of 1999 protest activity was another landmark in the use of New Media as a tool for social change. The WTO protests used media to organize the original action, communicate with and educate participants, and was used an alternative media source.
The Indymedia movement also developed out of this action, and has been a great tool in the democratization of information, which is another widely discussed aspect of new media movement. The Independent Media Center (aka Indymedia or IMC) is a global participatory network of journalists that reports on political and social issues. It originated during the anti-WTO protests in Seattle in 1999 and remains closely associated with the global justice movement, which criticizes neo-liberalism, and its associated institutions. Indymedia uses an open publishing and Democratic media process that allows anybody to contribute. "Indymedia is a collective of independent media organizations and hundreds of journalists offering grassroots, non-corporate coverage. Indymedia is a democratic media outlet for the creation of radical, accurate, and passionate telling of truth. Indymedia was founded as an alternative to government and mainstream media, and seeks to facilitate people being able to publish their media as directly as possible.
Netizens use the Internet to engage in activities of extended social groups, such as giving and receiving viewpoints, furnishing information, fostering the Internet as an intellectual and a social resource, and making choices for the self-assembled communities. Generally, a netizen can be any user of the worldwide, unstructured forums of the Internet.
Netizens are Internet users who utilize the networks from their home, workplace, or school (among other places). Netizens try to be conducive to the Internet's use and growth. Netizens, who use and know about the network of networks, usually have a self-imposed responsibility to make certain that it is improved in its development while encouraging free speech and open access. Netizens use of the Internet around the world has been has been marked by:
E-mail: Delivery of letters by means of the Internet, as a replacement to the traditional based paper correspondence letters.
Online chat: Establishing of one-on-one or group conversations by means of the Internet.
Instant messaging: Software which enables real time conversations without the need of using a website (in contrast to online chats).
Internet forums: Web Sites which serve to hold discussions in defined subjects.
Online games: Multiplayer Computer games which is played through the Internet.
Blog: A personal diary, which its owners writes in it in every possible subject in which he desires to talk discuss, and its content is available to all.
Feedback comment system: A Mechanism used in web sites to post responses from the internet users, which is mostly used in the news web sites, in blogs and in the other additional sites.
File sharing: A technology which enables the internet users to share files from their computers with other internet users, and in return the same internet user is capable of downloading files from the computer of other internet users. This enables the fast distribution, not always legal, of software, music, etc.
Gopher: A distributed document search and retrieval network protocol designed for the Internet. Its goal is to function as an improved form of Anonymous FTP, enhanced with hyper-linking features similar to that of the World Wide Web.
Wiki : A collection of web pages designed to enable anyone who accesses it to contribute or modify content, using a simplified markup language.
Youtube: Online free video file sharing website.
Flicker: Online Photo sharing website
Facebook, My Sapace, Linkind: Social networking websites, individual users and groups to connect each other online for friendship, profession, general and special interests
Podcast, Webcast: User to access Online Audio/Video streaming and presentations
RSS Feed: RSS is a family of Web feed formats used to publish frequently updated works—such as blog entries, news headlines, audio, and video—in a standardized format
The democratization is an indication of the creation of a "radical, socio-technical paradigm to challenge the dominant, neo liberal and technologically determinist model of information and communication technology.
Interactivity has become a key term for number of new media use options evolving from the rapid dissemination of Internet access point, the digitalization of the media, and media convergence. Any individual with the appropriate technology can now produce his or her online media and include images, text, and sound about whatever he or she chooses. So the new media with technology convergence shifts the model of mass communication, and radically shapes the ways we interact and communicate with one another. Interactivity can be considered as a central concept in understanding new media, but different media forms possess different degree of interactivity
Web 2.0 describes the changing trends in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aim to enhance creativity, secure information sharing, collaboration and functionality of the web. Web 2.0 concepts have led to the development and evolution of web-based communities and hosted services, such as social-networking sites, video sharing sites, wikis, blogs, and folksonomies. A program in New Media Studies may incorporate lessons, classes, and topics within Communication, Journalism, Computer Science, Programming, Graphic Design, Web design, Human-computer interaction, Media theory, English, and other related fields.
New Technologies are information based rather than knowledge based. Information is organized according to value, theories and paradigms. Knowledge is the key to political competence as well as to culture and civilization. New Media is considered as a platform for democracy in the globalization era. The democratic communication deepens democracy.
Technology is making life more convenient and enjoyable. Technological convergence of industries of media, computer and telecommunication creates a new audience. This new audience is the area of focus, how has the Internet as a form of a new media effects society today. The nature of the media audience is not very well understood, but propagandist can use new media effectively.
V. IMPACT OF PROPAGANDA IN DEMOCRACY
“There has never been a famine in a country with a free press and open government”
Amartya Sen
Media can produce and disseminate the information to public with influential power and it enables the people to know the government works and accountability .It makes citizen to choose right government and in turn, government can gain transparency and accountability through media. Therefore media can scrutinize the government’s action and illuminate the agenda. It can also act as a media watch dog too. The media can stand for the forum of public voice. The privileged information is essential in making decision and choice, the propaganda is surplus of it if it is of public interest. It is very clear when disaster occur, active mass media doing sound propaganda which will make citizen’s awareness and ability to cope well by social capacities. It is also similarly seen in social trust building. In a democratic setting, the public can choose the right and appropriate politician in the free and fair election by the highlighting points by media and propaganda.

Democracy is the form of government in which the laws and government institutions are under the control of the people and all decisions are made by the citizens or their elected representatives. That is why propaganda has many effects on Democracy.The relationship between information and power is prominent. Without information, the people have no power to make choices about their government, no ability to meaningfully participate in the decision-making process, to hold their governments accountable, to thwart corruption, to reduce poverty, or, ultimately, to live in a genuine democracy. (Citation) The development of the Internet and of Usenet is an investment in a strong force towards making direct democracy a reality. These new technologies present the chance to overcome the obstacles preventing the implementation of direct democracy.
These new communication technologies hold the potential for the implementation of direct democracy in a country as long as the necessary computer and communications infrastructure are installed. Future advancement towards a more responsible government is possible with these new technologies. While the future is discussed and planned for, it will also be possible to use these technologies to assist in the citizen participation in government. Netizens are watching various government institutions on various newsgroups and mailing lists throughout the global computer communications network. People's thoughts about and criticisms of their respective governments are being aired on the currently uncensored networks.

“The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society,” said Bernays.( cit)
The ever-growing influence of the mass media combined with information technology has great and profound impact in the democratization process. Focusing on leaders’ thoughts is often a kind of propaganda.

Participatory governance and influence of new media

The open access to internet usage and frank express to government by citizens make the people to become netizens. It makes the netizens knowing required information about election and voting procedure to get the government they want and need as for their interest. Discussion of policies, debate on policy issue and free forum for expression of netizens on line is very important in forming the participatory governance and touching the democratization in depth.
Accountability and new media
In turn, the government will get back the accountability by transparent procedures everywhere in their system and mechanism. Access to information such as annual reports or policy and legislative reviews allows for the monitoring of government performance.
By this mean, the social trust can be consolidated in between government and citizens of its own.
Anti-Corruption and Economic Effects and new media
A clear box society has no rumors, no conspiracy and no corruption. Corruption damages economic activity by discouraging both foreign and local investment and deterring foreign aid. Corruption “bites into the moral fiber of society,” and becoming lack of social trust and then no social net work as a result.
Hence, free new media by using technology is inevitable. In summary, there are the elements for enhancing democratization.
Access
Information
Education and discussion
Deliberation
Choices
Action


VI. ROLE OF COUNTER PROPAGANDA
Counter Propaganda will educate public in understanding basic human rights and democracy process. It will improve knowledge capacity of citizen and equip people with more intellect and power for socio-economic and democratic change in Burma.

Giving governments officers integrating international cooperation seminars, training programs,

International funding for educational and training programs in the area of journalism, mass media, international communication, public policy, organizational psychology, political psychology in supporting Burmese pro-democracy activists, human rights advocates, potential leaders are crucial for the democratization in Burma in media and counter propaganda arena. Furthermore It will be great benefit for Burmese people if there is effective radio station or radio program that transmit 24 hour service and can be assessable by people inside Burma. Such a radio program can act as counter- propaganda and educating people for their rights and their roles in country democratization process, socio economic development, and human capacity development inside the country. have to be information and in short wave or similar frequency that currently Burmese Language Broadcasting programs in BBC and VOA play as main free media source for Burma. But these 2 radio stations have very limited air time per day.

Since All media are under tight media control, information and knowledge passing through junta’s media protection wall and reaching out to the people will be challenging. tasks for all pro-democracy forces as well as international community which is willing to help Burmese people free from their darkness.

Currently the short wave radio in Burmese program of BBC, VOA and RFA, are the most reliable media sources that people in Burma can access . Only very few percentage of population can access TV program form DVB and CNN, BBC. But many people living in rural area of Burma still do not have access to these radio and TV program.

All independent Burmese free media in such as Irrawaddy online news magazine, Mizzima, Khitpyaing, Hittaing, Momakha are internet based and all these web sits are blocked inside Burma. Similarly, many other blogs written in political and social context are blocked in Burma and if arrested, the bloggers are given long term prison sentences under current law. Beside, only less than 1 percent of population has internet access in Burma and almost all internet users are living in the big cities and metro area. Nonetheless, new media like internet is the most effective tool for Propaganda and information sharing, knowledge capacity development and interconnecting pro democracy forces in Burma with outside world as well as connecting pro democracy forces inside.

Developments in modern technology and communication system can contribute big advantage in democratization in Burma. For example, public easy to mobile phone, text message system can be big impact on mobilizing, information sharing among citizens and it will encourage public participation and debates in social and political issue.
In the case of Burma, economic developments will help to improve communication infrastructure developments which will be able to support people’s democratic knowledge and information through accessing effective media tools such as Internet, satellite cable TV, mobile phone, text messaging and radio.

Under continued trend of tight media control by military junta, the media freedom will be a big challenge and blockage for democratization process in Burma in foreseeable near future.
The strategic and effective tactic to change status quo of media freedom in Burma is needed urgently and International community financial and educational support it needed in this context.

VII. CURRENT PROBLEMS FACING IN BURMA:
Media Darkness In The Absence Of Freedom Of New Media and News Media In A Hardship For Democratization
Brief Background History of Burma and Its Media
Burma is ruled by a military junta which has been consistently committing human rights abuse and violations. The military government violates all human rights articles stated in UDHR, including article (XIX) by lack of freedom of expression, ignoring public opinions and tight media control by hundreds of extremely strict regulations and laws. Some of existing media laws stated that it is punishable long term prison sentences to any citizen who violate those media regulations.
The Burmese military junta, also known as SPDC understands the importance of new media and news media role in mass communication, public policy and administration. Therefore, the regime is zealously using media tool for their continued power grip by spreading slanderous propaganda against all pro-democracy forces in all broadcasting and published media in the country; TV and radio stations such as Voice of Myanmar, City FM, Myanmar TV, Myawadi TV, printed version of Burmese daily newspapers such as Kyemon Daily, Myanma-Alin as well as English daily newspaper the New Light of Myanmar. Their propaganda machineries are not oriented for intellectual development, human capacity development, public education on genuine democracy, public awareness of a good governance system, but for spewing venom against the democratic forces and generating hatred and social divisive among society.
The Burmese media have been strictly controlled by government since 1962 military coup. Every media including the press, televisions, radio stations, production of video and films, publishing of journals and magazines and even music industry are under tight control of military censorship scrutinizing body under Press Scrutiny and Registration Division of Ministry of Information. Freedom of speech and the press are not guaranteed by constitution, but instead the laws implemented in Burma under military regime are to block all form of freedom of expression of its citizens.
Military regime’s media censorship authority tightly control all form of media, press, films, videos, music and even artistic performance and exhibitions. They filter any words that reflect the criticism of the government, the reports of natural disasters, internal conflicts and fights between ethnic insurgent groups, religious issues and moral issue. Basically, they the media law restricts every sentence and word they think is opposing them and/or supporting any pro-democracy movement activity. Even the word” she” is not allowed in some articles because they think that representing Aung San Su Kyi, the pro-democracy leader in secret and respective way. Censorship is normally conducted only after a manuscript is complete, ensuring extra caution by editors who face financial ruin if any part of their material is banned. Therefore every private publishing house and media production company have to meet military’s strict media rules and regulations in all publication and media production including newspaper articles, books, journals, magazines, children educational materials, comic, cartoons, advertisements and illustrations.
The main instrument of BSPP(Burma Socialist Program Party) control of the media was the 1962 Printers and Publishers Registration Law, still in force today, under which “Publications” or “Press Scrutiny Boards” were established to monitor every aspect of the written word, including song lyrics, film and, later, video scripts. These boards govern not only the text, language and subject of all books and publications, but even the numbers printed. Another 1977 press directive, from which periodicals are exempt, requires manuscripts to be submitted for inspection.
The internet services are monopolized by the close relatives of military generals and their chronicles and the access to internet is highly controlled by government. There is blockage of many good sources of informative web pages too. It is further hampered by a poor telecommunication infrastructure and network systems. Therefore, the public education, information sharing, knowledge development and enlightenment by media is totally out of service in Burma which got lowest ranking of world press freedom. In 2006, Burma ranked 164th of 168 nations in the 2006 “Reporters without Borders worldwide press freedom index”.
In 1996, several laws were passed to control further dissemination of information in Burma. These include the Law Protecting the Peaceful and Systematic Transfer of State Responsibility and the Successful Performance of the Functions of the National Convention against Disturbances and Oppositions, which prohibits activities aimed at destroying peace, stability, law and order. In addition, it illegalized acts of demeaning the National Convention. Media laws including the Television and Video Act, which requires owners of media players (including televisions, satellites, and videocassette recorders) to obtain licenses from the Ministry of Communications, Posts, and Telegraphs and instituted Video Censorship Boards on domestic-produced videos, and the Motion Picture Law, which requires licenses issued by the Myanmar Motion Picture Enterprise in making films were passed. Films are subject to censorship by the Motion Picture Censor Board.
In addition, the Computer Science Development Law was passed. Under this law, all computer equipment must be approved by the Ministry of Communications, Posts, and Telegraphs. In addition, the distribution, transfer, or acquisition of information that undermines state security, national solidarity and culture, is a criminal offence. In 2000, the Internet Law, which prohibits posting of writings that are harmful to state interests, was issued by SPDC. Foreign news has also been censored by the government.
The internet censorship is mostly confined to websites related to pro-democracy groups and those on pornography. The Myanmar Information Communications Technology Development Corporation (MICTDC) licenses cybercafés.
The radio, television and other media outlets are monopolized for propaganda warfare by the military regime and opposition views are never allowed. The regime even does not allow the religious discourse. The media is special tool for the military regime and no space for the opposition party. The political debates are always inhibited even at the National Convention. That's why the National Convention lost its credibility and regarded as a sham.
September 2007- Saffron Revolution and Occurrence of Roles of New Media in Burma
In September 2007, during the days of Buddhist monk led peaceful protest, also known as Saffron Revolution in Burma, all news media in Burma are strictly censored and tightly controlled by the military junta. All daily newspapers, radio and television stations are under the regime’s supervision to broadcasting and publishing news about monks and civilian protest in former capacity city Rangoon and many other areas to minimize further escalation and spread of nationwide protest.
During that time, people from Yangon and all other provincial cities received the up-to-date news footages through BBC, CNN, VOA, RFA, Aljazeera and the DVB TVs. Afterward, some IT activists put those dissenting footages into compact discs and delivered to people who could not have access to satellite dishes and Internet. Such activities make many Burmese citizens to see news footages of the recent mass anti-government demonstrations, and the brutal crackdown that ensued striking with sticks, throwing with tear gas bomb, and shooting with guns monks, innocent people and students.
Foreign media and journalist barred from entering into the country and reporting about the event. Many citizen journalists, bloggers and a few foreign journalists who had already in the country took the risk to take images, video footages and stories of the events. The military regime has constantly maltreated the journalists since 27 September. Japanese video journalist Kenji Nagai was killed by a soldier in downtown Rangoon, at the height of the 'Saffron Revolution' during September. Japanese officials have constantly said Nagai, 50, was evidently shot at close range, not hit by stray bullets as the SPDC officials had previously explained, and demanded the return of the journalist's video camera and tapes believed to have captured the shooting, and the Japanese government is investigating his death.
After September protests, the military censorship branch, known as the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division (PSRD), is harassing editors to print issues of their journals and magazines containing propaganda articles produced by the junta. Scores of writers and journalists suspected of sympathizing with the Saffron Revolution have been banned from contributing in the publications.
Members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, a junta-backed social organization and Swan-Ar-Shing, another junta-backed militia groups , keep on attacking towards journalists. Especially, photographers were beaten by the pro-government militia thugs while taking photos during monks' protests. Numerous civilians holding camera or mobile-phone were temporarily arrested and tortured. All in all, more than a dozen journalists were beaten or treated badly during the demonstrations. In addition, several young amateur-journalists or civilian journalists were also detained and their cameras and mobile-phones were confiscated by the militia.
Burma's military exercises tight controls over the Internet, banning access to news websites such as Yahoo or Hotmail. The regime was frustrated by bloggers and the civilian journalists during anti-junta protests in September, as they provided detailed consecutive accounts of the bloodshed and helped spread the news. The junta disconnected the nation's Internet links at the height of the violence to cut off the information flows about the crackdown.

Cyclone Nargis and Roles of News Media
Because of no in News and Media, millions ar hindering disaster relief coordination, disaster assessment , information gathering , logistic and emergency relief works.
No visibility and no information for relief efforts carried out by government agencies, UN agencies, NGOs and international aid agencies.
May 2008 Referendum, New Constitution and 2010 Election

During May 2008, whiles the country worst natural disasters hit military continued
Present situation in Burma indicates that 2010 general election will go ahead as scheduled by military regime. However, NLD, the main opposition party led by Aung San Suu Kyi, many other pro-democracy leaders and activists do not acknowledge this re-election. International community, especially all western nations will not recognize new constitution and the result of re-election in Burma. Most importantly, If there is media freedom and freedom of speech in Burma majority of Burmese citizen will be able to speak up to disapprove openly the referendum, new constitutions and re election. Not only pro democracy leaders, political parties but also the people of Burma will have a chance to participate the whole democratization process and socio-economic change of the country and for their own destiny.
The strict media laws and harsh punishment are blocking people’s true will, strong desire, valuable idea and genuine voices. The contribution and voices of many intellectual and professional, experts from law, political and economic area as well as ethnic minorities are dangerously neglected by regime by media restriction and violating people’s basic rights; freedom of expression.
There is some indication that United Nations will recognize 2010 election in Burma. If new constitution (even if its legitimacy is questionable) is approved and new government is formed after 2010 election, there will be more legal complication in Burma under its own state law and international law. This will become a big policy and strategy challenges for democracy movements of Burmese activist as well as policy makers from concerned nations and institutions on Burma.
How can a genuine democracy be implemented without considering people’s true desire? How can a country can achieve long term sustainable democracy without its citizen’s participation in democratization process? How can Burma lay down a strong democratic frame works without strong pillars of democracy as defined in US info: Sovereignty of the people, Government based upon consent of the governed., Majority rule, Minority rights, Guarantee of basic human rights., Free and fair elections, Equality before the law, Due process of law, Constitutional limits on government., Social, economic, and political pluralism, Values of tolerance, pragmatism, cooperation, and compromise.? (URL http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/whatsdem/whatdm2.htm)


Over term Prison statements to student leaders of 1988 Generation, journalists, politicians, leaders of monks in Burma from 12 years to 65 years recently on 11th of November, 2008.
VII. POLICY OPTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS
Far from freedom in expression of idea opinions media even new media makes Burma in the darkness.
It should know the value and important role of new media.
Citizens should try to become netizens by self is also important concept of people.
Informed citizen and informed choice, participatory governance, transparency and accountability, building of social trust and social net work, clear the corruption.
In burma, media should have freedom for democratization speedily.
Press, all media

Burma will not achieve a genuine democracy without Media freedom. Consequences of lack of freedom of new media and news media in the country will continued to generate unstable socio-economic and political situation in Burma . Moreover, ethnic and religious conflict will not be resolved without free political dialogue and media freedom.
Fundamental forces and power of the country lie on its own people. Only Freedom of new media and news media will educate and inform people for complete picture of democratization process. Under this political scenario, Burmese pro-democracy forces need to find new campaigning strategy, lobbying external drivers; foreign governments and international institutions and implement new innovative in public policy for achievable democratization process. For the policy makers from foreign countries especially from western nations, Burma issue will become more complicated in the aspects of international law, political economy as well as socio-culture dimensions after elected proxy government of military regime is formed.
Therefore, every interest parties need to re-evaluate their policy and strategy in Burma. Effectiveness of all existing policies and actions will be in doubt at present and after 2010 election in Burma. The effective decision making process should be a multi-spectrum approach and overseeing long term political landscape of Burma rather than a short sighted action and approach. Pro-democracy activists and policy makers also need to aware that even illegitimate constitution implemented for military dominance and sham re-election, will become a part of the long term democratization process of Burma. Many other factors such as sustainability of democracy, human capacity developments and educating the people with basic democratic knowledge will play crucial roles of this country’s future political and social change regardless of legitimacy of new constitution and results of 2010 election. Therefore, media play crucial role and empowering people of Burma to liberate from their own darkness. Under present circumstances in Burma the role of freedom of new media and news media become a major pillar of entire democratization process.
Burmese military government must lift all media restriction, allowing freedom of expression and freedom of speech in the country and honoring UDHR articles if the military Generals genuinely want democracy and for the betterment of its citizen and improve the country socio-economic development as they claim. Ultimately, a desirable policy solution is military regime to free all political prisoners, including Daw Aung Sann Suu Kyi and start dialogue with all opposition political parties and ethnic minority groups. No doubt, new media and news media freedom must be a top priority during this national reconciliation and dialogue process. Opening up news media, transparency of allowing international journalists, news media and observers in this process as watch dog and guards. However, there should be certain level of media control agreed upon by all parties during transition period due to challenging situation of people’s familiarity in democratization process, limited knowledge . Negative and destructive media reports and campaigning and public mobilizing could cause social instability and unrest in the country during transition process. Constructive and informative media repots, educating people on democratization process, educating individual citizen’s rights, their responsibilities as individuals based on the transparency and accountability are important area in implementing a workable realistic policy which can give the desirable results in the end.
For policy makers from interest foreign nation and international community, it is important to portray their nations image and play as just mediators and non-partisan approach. International journalist can act as watch dog for transition process. It is important for foreign policy makers and journalists and reporters to understand social-psychology, culture and organizational-psychology of military, political parties, ethnic groups and grass root level people in Burma. No policy is better than the policy that failed or without or negative results. International community could provide funding and supporting new media infrastructure, news media activities and other public education related media works. These activities will eventually free people and accelerate the democratization process.
For political activist and pro democracy forces, it is important to aware that public need to be informed the progress and their rights by all sources of media…..



APA citation
http://www.authentic-breathing.com/propaganda_in_a_democracy.html
. ( Democracy and new media, edited by Henry Jerkins and David Thorburn).

Critical Time for all of us

Today is 22nd May, 2009. As you all know that our national leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been on trial in very notorious In Sein Jail. Many of my friends who love democracy are suffering alot for this unfair, unjustice and very womenish things done by SPDC. We could not sleep well, we all want to know update news from Burma. We also worry for our people. We worry for U Win Tin and all NLD members including youths.
We all perceive that now is the critical time. Be alert and brainstorm for the the best solution.
Me..personally ask my self and find out . And I cannot hide my desire to share my thoughts. Once I have a paper when I was in Harvard University. The title is " Conventional Democracy for Burma".
Let me have a chance to share with all democracy lovers and hope it may have some value and interestign points.




Recommendations for vast governance problem in Burma:Conventional Democracy for Burma

“Over the past generation, radical-democratic ideas have reemerged as an important intellectual and political force. This reemergence reflects a combination of skepticism about the regulatory capacities of national governments and concerns about the capacity of conventional democracies to engage the energies of ordinary citizens. By “conventional democracies,” we mean systems of competitive representation, in which citizens are endowed with political rights, including the rights of speech, association, and suffrage; citizens advance their interests by exercising their political rights, in particular by voting for representatives in regular elections; elections are organized by competing political parties; and electoral victory means control of government, which gives winning candidates the authority to shape public policy through legislation and control over administration.”


1. Archon Fung, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and Joshua Cohen, Department of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT)










CONTENTS

Executive summary

I. Introduction

II. Why military junta still remains holding on power?

III. Countervailing power on the other side of the arms

a. Inner mindset of citizen
b. The strength of NLD and Pro democracy forces
c. Religious leaders and student unions
d. Initiation of democracy movements by using internet and Information Technology


IV. External Drivers for democratization process in Burma

a. International Sanctions
b. Border and exile Pro-democracy forces
c. Cutting of International development aid to Burma
d. Discontinuation of Social Ties and Economic Ties

V. Challenges in Innovation in Democratic Governance in Burma

a. Inability to practice fair justice by judiciary body
b. Unacceptable road map and referendum
c. Absurd Brutal crackdown in every public voice and peaceful demonstration
d. Lack of fundamental human rights
e. Unwillingness of international organizations
f. Challenges regarding sanctions
g. Lack of Media Freedom


VI. Public Participation as a key to conventional democracy

VII. Recipe to cure and coordination to sure

VIII. Conclusion

Reference









EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Burma has been under military regime since 1962. It has a long record of governing the country and its own people with oppression. The situation in Burma becomes worsen as there is no role of legal body. The sham national referendum was done in May 2008. At present, the regime is planning to go on with its 2010 re-election, intending to change their military uniforms and representing themselves as a legitimate civilian government. They neglected the 1990 election result in which National League for Democracy won landslide which is the symbol and proof of public willingness and desire for a change in Burma towards a true democratic country.

Since, 1962, every pro democracy movement, mass protests and public demonstrations have been cracked down by brutally by military regime in Burma. Recent mass public movements for democracy in Burma such as 1988 student uprising and 2007 saffron revolution by monks has also been brutally cracked down by military.. The county’s pro democracy leader Daw Aung Sann Su Kyi has been detained under house arrest for more than decade without any reasonable clause of law. Decade long ethnic conflicts and social problems still remain in the country. There is no media freedom in the country and the citizen’s rights to assess knowledge and information are blocked by new implemented strict media law.

All of the country’s key business activities are monopolized by minority tyranny which composed of military generals, their relatives and their elite business associates. The cost of fuel and other fundamental essential things have been sky high with high inflation rate under regime’s economic mismanagement. Burma bureaucratic mechanism is working under high corruption. New generation military officers are trained and mould into the wrong political and governance philosophy. Entire population is threatened under closed environment and almost no exposure to international democratic societies. Military regime laid down the seven steps road map to construct democracy for Burma. But there is no time frame in it and public is not allowed
to involve in the process of constitution and democratization process. New constitution is not acceptable by public and by any international democratic society standard.

There are some strong actions implemented by external drivers for democratic change in Burma such as economic sanctions, cutting of international aid for development projects, stopping economic and social ties with Burma. But it is still controversial on willingness of international communities. United Nations, United States, European Union, ASEAN and some neighboring countries like China, India and Thailand should have more cooperation and coordination for democratization process in Burma. There are many Burmese pro democracy groups struggling inside Burma, in exile and border areas for democratic change of the country. But their effectiveness to achieve any change in Burma is limited because of lack of cohesiveness and unity among all these groups.

Therefore, the feasible solution with innovative approach is required for Burma to be free from fear, oppression and authoritarian dictatorship. The concept from innovation in democratization passes the idea of forming public sphere and spaces to form social networks and social trust. Then, in turn, informed citizens can choose the informed choice correctly. That will make more true people’s representatives in the local, regional and states level in the government institutions. The result of true representatives will allow effective governance and stable government.

The civic social culture is closely linked to political culture and political cognition. The public level of knowledge, understanding and interest in political matters to make meaningful decision is constructed and started by initiation of political culture. Citizens must have a sufficient knowledge of the political system. The informed citizen begins to reshape the view of citizenry and democratic politics. In Burma, it is very important to recognize that the public force is the one and only key strength for getting of democracy. Therefore, it needs to educate and inform the public to become informed citizens as a prerequisite. The possible democratic reform in Burma can start as the form of “conventional democratic” governance. It needs radical change and massive public participation. The process can be enhanced by the international communities and influential organizations.


I. INTRODUCTION

In 2010, Burma military junta will hold the general election without recognizing 1990 election result. The junta held a national referendum in May 2008, in the midst of Cyclone Nargis, the worst natural disaster that the country has ever experienced. Military regime announced the referendum is approved by over 90% of votes.2 However, it was held under massive intimidation and unfair treatment to the public. Moreover, the proposed constitution is deeply flawed and intended only to entrench the military's grip on power. It was drafted without any genuine involvement of opposition political parties, such as the National League for Democracy which won 1990 general election and other important Burma's ethnic minorities groups as well. Military Junta in Burma constantly violates human rights of its citizens and therefore it is left isolated by the international community.

Instead of practicing a democratic transformation process, military junta disrespect the justice system and individual citizen rights. Many political prisoners including social, political activists and their extended supporters are sentenced to long term imprisonment since 2007. It is time to drive military junta to go back to their barrack as they have no ability to handle the judiciary system, public policies and to lead social, political and economic developments in the country. Now is the critical time for Burma to democratic transformation that needs effective initiation of people power and pro-democracy forces internally. In addition, the external drivers have to exercise more actively and effectively to achieve a progressive democratization process and to implement national reconciliation peacefully with genuine democratic way without holding a re-election in 2010.

In this final term paper, I try to illuminate on the causes that make the present military regime in Burma that persist for more than two decades since September1988 till now. By analyzing all realistic causes, external and internal driving factors and underlying strengths and weaknesses of the pro democracy forces based on the current socio-economic and political situation and trend, I try to explore some possible and feasible ways to achieve the national reconciliation and democratization in Burma.

Under military government ruled dictatorship, without fair justice system and enforcement of law, Burmese people suffer and sacrifice whilst fighting for their basic rights, freedom and democracy. How can Burmese people to able to participate in decision making process for their own future under the darkness of knowledge and information? How to get the coordinated forces from international community especially, United Nations, European Union, AEAN countries and neighboring countries including China, India and Thailand to take moral and political responsibilities to take part in removing the dictatorship and tyranny? How to construct sustainable social capacity developments, social trust, social nets and social culture to achieve a stable socio-political status that can lead a way to democracy?

I would also like to put some sound idea that conventional democracy, made up with right informed citizens choices coming out from social capacity building. By collaborative and cohesiveness of democracy lovers, Burma will definitely get onto a path of democratization in the hands of people power by committing them to broader participation in public initiated decision-making. Citizens should have greater direct roles in public choices or deeper civic engagements with substantive political issues and be assured that officials will be responsive to their concerns and judgments. 3

II. WHY MILITARY JUNTA STILL REMAINS HOLDING ON POWER


By understanding the organizational military psychology, philosophy and perspective of military regime of Burma, the strategic policy and plan for democratization could be considered in more feasible and practical way. The vision and belief of military regime is that; Burma is a country of diverse multi-ethnicity up to 135 ethnics and these different ethnic groups have been fighting for separation and independence for decades. And, any democratically elected civilian government could not be able to maintain the country’s peace and stability. The old and new military generals as well as younger military officers blindly believe that the military is the only well established institution that can prevent disintegration of the nation. They believe that only arm power can maintain stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the union. Poor political philosophy, stubbornness to hold the country’s power, narrow minded nationalism, extreme intolerant nature and unreasonable stickiness to power of military regime have created political culture of Burma.

Military regime has made the plan of seven steps roads map without considering people genuine desire. They are misguiding its citizens to the wrong direction of democratic reform process, political developments, national reconciliation and implementing effective governance system for sustainable socio-economic developments in the country. The regime has fear for any action form international justice system for their killing machine to its own people in demonstrations if they lost their power grip in Burma.

Minority tyranny are monopolizing all the highly lucrative big businesses such as Timber , mining, infrastructure projects, gems, trading of agricultural products, oil and gas related supplies, other export, import trading and foreign currency exchanges. They are manipulating country’s economic system and businesses by letting the state own enterprises to have granted to do so. And most lucrative projects and trading are only permitted to the military general’s relatives and their business associates. Most of Burmese government’s economic development plan and public policy are implemented in ad-hoc basis instead of considering multi-dimensional factors and long term sustainable approach. However, existing micro economic structure and system in Burma is probably created for the best fit for long term survival of the regime. 4

One very obvious example of military government’s ad-hoc approach is that in August 2007, ruling military authority suddenly increased the price of gasoline more than double because they claimed that they could no longer subsidize it. High fuel and transportation costs have quickly impacted the rest of the commodity prices and entire economy as the consequences of particular ad-hoc economic and public policy decision. Within days, the price of essential commodities had been raised to double. The citizens could no longer afford to travel to work and many businesses were forced to close down. The result of short sighted ad-hoc public policy had created a nation -wide Buddhist monk led peaceful protest in September 2007, also known as “Saffron revolution.5







III. Countervailing power on the other side of the arms: The real strength from inner mindset of the citizens

(a) Inner mindset of citizens

Burma is one of the highest ranking in corruption index due to deterioration of socio-economic hardship for the prolonged period. After more than 20 years under military rules and administration, the socio-economic hardship becomes worsen, affecting majority of population and creating social divide among citizens.
In addition, military government set up the military sponsored social organizations such as Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA) and civilian militia group (Swan-Ar-Shin) in recent years. Many people joined these pro-military social organizations to gain small relief from their hardship. These are example of new social pattern change under military regime. The country is isolated from outside world and virtually majority of people do not have any real democratic knowledge. They have never had a chance to practice any democratic process in their entire lifetime.

Although under these circumstances, the people are still more cohesive and tolerant to military unfair judgments. They hate military government, the dictatorship and administrative mechanism, but not to the ordinary soldiers at personnel level. They understand that military junta is tyrant and unfairly taken over the state power and taking too much advantages of political, social, and economical sectors for their own benefits. The inner sense of the public drives the ordinary people of Burma into a very strong public force. It has been clearly seen in 1990 general election. The citizens disgusted to military regime and therefore they voted for main opposition party NLD in 1990 general election, with or without knowingly well enough about the party. With their inner mindset, they have strong desire of democratic change. This inner desire is a very resilient and reliable power of people in the long run to get democratic governance.

(b) The strength of NLD and pro democracy forces

The key player against Military junta is National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung Sann Suu Kyi, a noble peace laureate. There are some other smaller political parties, pro-democracy forces inside and outside Burma as well as many ethnic forces too. Other influential players inside the country are Buddhist monks and university students. The government employed workers are frightened to take part in any political involvement practically. Military regime made various method of systematic and harsher punishment, intimidation, imprisonment to all pro-democracy forces inside Burma including Buddhist monks, 8888 generation student leaders and also members of NLD party. NLD MPs and its party members are still struggling a lot and sacrifice a lot with their capacities, tactic, strategic campaign plan, mobilizing the ordinary people inside the country. Although weakening of NLD, Aung Sann Su Kyi is still remains as a most important public leader, public figure and democratic icon attracting international interest, media attention and supports. Aung San Suu Kyi is well recognized and accepted as a leadership figure for the pro-democracy forces of Burma. It is extremely important that she is getting the valuable and realistic information and advices from her contacts and her advisors and members of her party. 6

The leading political organization and groups in exile such as NCUB (National Council of the Union of Burma), NCGUB (National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma) and ENC (Ethnic Nationality Council) and many ethnic groups are still moving ahead for the democracy for Burma. There are other hundreds of Burmese political campaign groups functioning in overseas and unifying among all these individuals and groups have been also a big challenge for the pro democracy forces themselves .7

(c) Religious Leaders and Students Unions

The obvious evidence of religious leaders took part in the leadership roles in political movement was clearly seen when the Buddhist monks led peaceful protest, also know as Saffron Revolution in September, 2007 in Burma. Despite the military junta has been trying to demolish and crack down their movement, with the resilient desire, the religious leaders are working for religious freedom as well as for the public good by indirect means and secretly finding ways to improve country’s situation. The students’ unions have been cracked down and all most all of student leaders inside Burma were detained and imprisoned, there were presence of sporadic movements and occasional democracy activities can be still found in Burma.

(d) Initiation of democracy movements by using internet and Information Technology

Initial pattern of E-democracy movements or citizen journalism by young generation including bloggers, chat rooms, hip hoppers and e-letters dissemination have started in Burma in recent years. It has certain extent of recognition and achievement especially during Saffron revolution. These brave and active citizens participate online blogging, connecting each other via internet, forming informal social groups and achieving cohesions. These forces are unseen, but they are very vigorous and strong in communication and information sharing among youths and across different demographic.


IV. External Forces for Democratization

(a)International Sanctions

Sanctions approach is effective only when there is cooperation from all nations from international community. The sanction is hurting not only to the military government, but also to the people. The sanctions make military government to face enormous difficulty for their survival. But on the other hand, it is hurting their individuals and organizational pride and as the result pushing them to be more nationalism sentiment and make them more determined for their power grip. Sanction is driving millions of ordinary Burmese people into deeper hole of poverty and as the consequences it is hurting the human capacity developments, the fundamental requirement for the progress of democratizing process. The consequence of combined economy mismanagement of the country, poor foreign and public policy as well as international sanctions and isolation has created extreme socio-economic hardship in Burma. As the results, there have been big wave of brain drain in Burma. Entire middle class and intellectuals have lack of opportunity for personal development and their ability to contribute to institutional and society development are undermined under these difficult circumstances. Majority of active and best brains in the area of social and political entrepreneurs of Burma are living in abroad. 8


(b)Border and exile Pro-democracy forces

Many democratic forces are forming association, organization and advocacy groups in border area and/or in abroad. They include exile members of parliament elected from 1990 general election, social activists, 1988 generation student activists and many other campaign groups for Burma. The unity among various pro democracy forces and ethnic groups in exiles and border are very weak and there is lack of strong and coordinated strategies among them.9


(c) Cutting of International development aid to Burma
One of controversial but effective actions by external forces for Burma democratic change is by suspending international financial aid. The international aid started cutting off to Burma despite they know the real situation in the country which is hungrily needed for international aid in many sectors especially in education, health care and infrastructure works. Since 1988 uprising and 1990 election in Burma, foreign governments and international organizations have promoted democratization as the solution to the country’s manifold problems, including ethnic conflict, endemic social instability, and general underdevelopment.10 The international development agencies are making a significant difference bringing relief and new opportunities to vulnerable groups, building local capacities, even helping to rationalize policy-making and planning and yet they could do a lot more indeed. If the international assistance is properly applied, it could serve to promote political reconciliation and build the social capital necessary for a successful democratic transition. However the long term impact of democratization process in Burma by cutting financial aid should be carefully reevaluate by donor country and organization under current situation in Burma.
(d)Discontinuation of Social Ties and Economic Ties

United States and European Union are the key player in cutting of economic ties and sanctions on Burma. But, the problem is that refusals of ASEAN, India, China, Korea and the oil and gas companies are becoming Burma's largest trading and investment partners and they are supporting military junta in some way. The economic sanctions made by United States has definitely made certain level of impact on Burma economy. The announcement of the black listed company which are doing business investment in Burma is one of effective ways to punishing the military junta although it is controversial policy . The stoppage of economic investment in Burma affects the military generals and the elites who are doing business in partners rigorously.

V. Challenges of Democratization in Burma

(a) Inability to practice fair justice by judiciary body

The current situation in Burma regarding legislation is out of fairness. The judiciary is not independent of the military junta. The lawyers and judges cannot perform ethically as their professional roles. They have to carry out their job without obeying even existing law, due process and fair trial guarantees under military rules. They practice judiciary procedures by violating the law in arresting and detaining and sentencing to the citizens who are politically active or involved. The lawyers in Burma do not have chance to practice effectiveness and freedom to perform their professional functions. The military often revokes a lawyer’s license on suspicion if his/her involvement in politics. There is also a threatening of repercussion for lawyers who representing the political activists or prisoners for their conscience. In addition, lawyers who are not prepared to participate (in paying bribes) under the corrupt justice system risk prosecution under the Contempt of Court Act for their alleged improper attitude towards the judges. 11

Moreover, the members of the body supervising the admission of advocates are selected by the military junta and make decisions in accordance with the junta’s directives. This means that admission is dependent on political commitment rather than merit. Lawyers also suffer persecution as a consequence of being identified with their clients’ causes, and lawyer-client confidentiality is not respected in cases concerning political issues. In summary, it is due to the suspension of the constitution which has rendered the separation of powers ineffective, and left civil society with no legitimate means of challenging executive power.

(b)Unacceptable road map and referendum

The military junta’s proposed roadmap to democracy guide do not complete since it was first announced. There is no specific time frame on the road map. The so-called 7 steps road map to democracy of military regime are as follows in step by step:
(1) Reconvening of the National Convention that has been adjourned since 1996.
(2) After the successful holding of the National Convention, step by step implementation of the process necessary for the emergence of a genuine and disciplined democratic system.
(3) Drafting of a new constitution in accordance with basic principles and detailed basic principles laid down by the National Convention.
(4) Adoption of the constitution through national referendum.
(5) Holding of free and fair elections for Legislative bodies according to the new constitution.
(6) Convening of Legislative body attended by members of legislative body in accordance with the new constitution.

(7) Building a modern, developed and democratic nation by the state leaders elected by the legislation body and the government and other central organs formed by the legislation body.12

In general, the road map itself seems reasonable and it will be effective for a democratic transition if the military junta follow exactly these steps with large public participation. But there are many tricks in the roadmap as that it does not state any specific time frame for all these steps. At this moment, the regime has announced that they have successfully achieved up to step four although there is no practical improvement on the ground.

(C)Absurd Brutal crackdown in every public voice and peaceful demonstration

The military government is always ready to do brutal crackdown and harsh punishment to any revolutionary mass public demonstration or even any peaceful demonstration of single person standing in front of the city’s town hall. Burma social uprising happened in 1964, 1974, 1988, 1996, 2007 and each uprising, the protesters have been gunned down. 13 All of these events have proved that single event of breaking the rule of dictatorship and governance circle will not transform the country into new direction. The status-quo will not easily change and even worsens by these single event of mass protest.

(d)Lack of fundamental human rights

Universal declaration of human rights has celebrated its sixtieth years anniversary and political and social system have dramatically improved of many parts of the world ever since it was first implemented. But, Burma and its citizens are suffering basic human rights abuse until now because of military negligence to respect individual rights. Especially in the media field, the censorship body scrutinized by the military government is a key barrier for all kinds of media to disseminate the information to the hands of public. The darkness in media for a long run makes the people to feel intellectual numbness and ignorance to the public affair, comparative political and other international current developments and situations.


(e) Unwillingness of International community

If International community has stronger political will and determination on Burma, It can improve the situation in Burma. But there are only some countries like China and India who have more geopolitical interest in Burma and increase their influence in economic and political influence in Burma. Only China has highest attention by blocking democratization process of Burma for its geopolitical interest.


(f)Challenges regarding sanctions

United Nation Sanction Committee’s resolutions on Burma were vetoed and blocked by China and Russia in the past. The sanctions imposed by US and EU has little affect on military regime but huge negative impact on ordinary people and as the consequences, poor human capacity developments and democratization process. Counter productivity of sanctions should be re-evaluated after years of failure policy and strategy. The sanctions, harsh approach of the West is pushing the military regime to go under to the stronger economic, military ties and political influence of China and Russia in recent years. Current trend suggests that all factors are pushing Burmese military government to the other side of democratic reform table.


(g)Lack of Media Freedom

Burma is one of the worst media freedom countries. All publishing media, press, journals and magazines, all radio and TV media and internet access are under very tight control of military regime. So, information and knowledge that its citizens getting are extremely and dangerously limited for the general population across all demographic. Regime is using tremendous amount of resources in blocking media freedom and launching various psychological warfare to its own people. The regime’s propaganda is working at certain extent especially affecting most vulnerable population, the poor and low educated people of civil societies. The result of it has generated confusion and the idea of social divide among its citizen.

But in September 2007, during Saffron Revolution, the new generation used the information technology well and uploaded the latest information and photos about the protest and development of the event on the internet. The efforts of many citizen journalists and their usage of IT platform have helped made the world known about military government’s cruelty of its crackdown on the peaceful religious monks and civilians protesters who were chanting of Metta Sutra (words of peace, loving, and kindness).

Moreover, they are trying to find ways to bypass the web access effectively and efficiently for forming of social nets using blogs and chats despite the military ruler’s strict rule in blocking and absurd actions against them.



VI. Public participation as a Key to conventional democracy

The greater public participation of people in democratization process and continuous engagement between government and public societies will make more transparent, fair, and effective in between them. It will also contribute to sustainable human capacity development. Civic societies are a prerequisite and fundamental pillar for democracy.

In a public sphere and place, citizens group together to solve the problems, promote the common interest, building the social trust among them and set common goals and objectives as community and groups. It will allow them to select the representative of their own community and group. That will make more true people’s representatives in the local, regional and states level in the government institution. The result of true representatives will allow effective governance and stable government. The civic culture are closely linked to political culture and political cognition , voting behavior and political participation of public as a whole which is in turn closely linked to democratization process and democratic transition and it becomes a prerequisite for democracy.14

The public’s abilities; public level of knowledge, understanding and interest in political matters to make meaningful decision is constructed and it is initiation of a political culture. The public who make decision must know and understand the options that the policy face and people confront.15 Citizens must have a sufficient knowledge of the political system. The informed citizen begins to reshape the view of citizenry and democratic politics. The better knowledge makes them right choice in electoral voting. Citizens participate in democracy process make sense of their ownership and active involvement through discussion and social engagement.16

In Burma, It is very important to recognize that the public force is the one and only key strength for building the country’s democracy. Therefore, it is needed to educate and inform public to become informed citizens. This is the first step to build the public sphere and space to get public network and create the social environment that encourage people to have a chance to discuss about politics freely. Then, they might have more social engagements and upgrade the knowledge on democracy and get the cohesive social force. The social culture will again turns into political culture gradually within society.


VII. Recipe to cure and coordination to sure

Most prominent ultimate goal of the public is that Burma must be ruled by democratically-elected civilian government by honoring the result of the 1990 election and it can be in alignment with universal human rights standard. The issue in Burma is needed to be resolved before reelection process in 2010. If not, the unacceptable constitution is recognized is legitimate and it will allow the military government in just outfitting themselves as a civilian government to exercise more tyranny. Burma must have a democratic constitution, which guarantees the rights to equality and self-determination of all ethnic nationalities too. In Burma, there is more than 135 ethnicities and in practical, it is very hard to organize and make unity among them. Moreover, it has been long in backwards economic downtrend for more than two decades and most of the people have met with difficulties in getting of fundamental and basic requirements. One desirable option is a federal government system to introduce in each and every state.

it is now time to call the military to enter into an inclusive and time-bound constructive dialogue with the elected party NLD led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and along with the ethnic nationalities for a compromised political settlement. The tri-partite dialogue among Military, NLD and Ethnic groups is one of the most important steps to actual read map to democracy in Burma. This will proceed for national reconciliation and the emergence of the democratization peacefully in the county.

Moreover, well understanding of informed citizens is the key contributor for building democracy in the midst of this current political environment. The possible democratic reform in Burma can start as the form of “conventional democratic” governance. It needs radical change and public participation and also needs support by the military regime with full understanding.

By “conventional democracies,” we mean systems of competitive representation in which citizens are endowed with political rights, including the rights of speech, association, and suffrage; citizens advance their interests by exercising their political rights, in particular by voting for representatives in regular elections; elections are organized by competing political parties; and electoral victory means control of government, which gives winning candidates the authority to shape public policy through legislation and control over administration.17

The effective decision making process should be a multi-spectrum approach and sought for long term political landscape of Burma rather than a short sighted action and approach. The legitimate constitution and selection are parts of the whole democratization process of Burma. Many other factors such as sustainability of democracy, human capacity developments and educating the people with basic democratic knowledge will play crucial roles of this country’s future political and social change.

In Burma case, the political and social model is very complex and complicated. First of all, it needs to correct the Political philosophy of Military. The pro democracy forces of Burma and international community have to acknowledge that military organization is the most important part of democratic reform process in Burma. Currently Military Junta is the main barrier to democracy. Currently, Military Junta is standing in the gateway to the country’s democracy. But military generals are afraid that they will be tried to International Criminal Court if any new independent people’s government is in power in Burma. Their concern of any punishment by newly elected civilian government for their human rights abuses is the reason why military general are trying to stick to the country’s power grip. At the same time, the willingness to compromise in power sharing with military regime by opposition parties, pro democracy forces and ethnic groups is very crucial to get transformed.

Socio-economic development to improve knowledge of entire population including high ranking military officers and other ranked military coups are also important. Burma and military regime have been isolated from international community for many years. Prolonged isolation has generated mistrust to foreign countries. The military’s philosophy of military institution first and centralization of governance instead of people first approach is the products of extreme xenophobia and fear of balkanization of the military regime in Burma.
The ultimate way to correct political philosophy is to bring the military generals and young blood officers into the international community to educate them in creating civilized governance and democratic political environment which will educate the military general about human rights and good governance system.

In a way of constructive engagement, stronger action as well as giving political and financial rewards to military regime by international community based on improvements of human rights record and progress of democratization process in Burma.

It is very important to create public sphere and places to form social networks and social interconnectedness with military members, their families. It is to get social trust among the people themselves as well as to the military society. More social inter-connection among military young officers and public will greatly enhance in transforming process. By supporting in education and human capacity developments will improve the skills of future leader in equipping with required democratization knowledge. External drivers need to support basic technology and information infrastructure inside and outside the country to educate people to understand their individual rights and become informed citizens as well as understanding of their responsibility as citizen.

During the Cold War, Burmese foreign policy was based on principles of neutrality, often tending toward xenophobia. The idea of neutrality and free and fair foreign policy of Burmese government have turned towards anti West Policy since military regime is in power. 18 It is also time to change the xenophobic attitude of military regime.

From the very influential and powerful sources, United Nations can make very distinguished and turning changes to Burma. European Union and many western countries planned for giving international development aid and getting the strategically composed democratization along to Burma in supporting of socio- economic development projects. United Nations also make special impact to Burma by giving external pressure by many ways. United States of America can do tremendous sharing of knowledge to Burmese people by many delicate ways.19

China would be the key player to Burma's issue. China has a stronger business as well as social ties to Burmese dictators. On the other hand, the Burma's status-quo would be more beneficial to China both socially and economically. Moreover, Burma is strategically important to China as a balance of power to its nearest rival, India. That is why it inevitably needs to consider China in Burma issue.












VIII. Conclusion

Burma is very unique in its situation as military regime has been survived for many years even with deteriorating country’s economy, education, health, social and political sectors. The ethnic problems and insurgent problems are still unsolved. The inflation rate is rising and majority of civilians are suffered from socio-economic hardship. Legal body is paralyzed and absurd imprisonment and sentences are being made to political and social activists. Minority tyranny is growing and socio-economic and many other factors are driving the certain level of social divide inside the country.

Meantime, ASEAN has adopted a non-interference policy regarding domestic problems of member states, while urging Burma to move towards democracy by holding free and fair elections by 2010 and to release all political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. United States has certain position to play on Burma. European Union has less interest in Burma than China does. China’s over zealous and interest on Burma issues for its own geopolitical interest is becoming the obstacle for democratization process in Burma.

By analyzing various political and social and economic factors from different point of view, it is to be concluded that, under present situation, there is no single solution nor single group could solve complex problems of a country with 135 different ethnic groups under the circumstance of decade long political, ideological and ethnic conflicts.

By identifying and scanning the root causes and each parameter that make the military to able to hold power firmly will enable policy makers, advocates and pro demo activists to find some feasible solutions. With understanding underlying problems and pros and cons of each policy and effectiveness discuss in this paper may help overcome the challenges and current problems facing in Burma, countervailing power to military regime. The collaborative and feasible solutions can be well-tailored for Burma as its current circumstance. In the arrays of innovation in democratization, the informed citizens, the citizenry choices and voices and the political culture of the public become very vital for democratization. It is not deniable of the public force as the strongest power of the country. And it is possible to construct the public space and sphere for organizing pubic and forming public social nets. From that social ties and nets, the social trust can be born. Steadily changing the culture of citizens, the political culture can be introduced. And the political knowledge will be instilled and injected to public.

If 2010 election is forced to happen by regime, the informed citizen can pass that challenge with their proper political knowledge to get the right choice. The cohesiveness and willingness of Burmese people can gain democracy by convention with their own strength with the supports, political will and taking moral responsibility of international community.













References:


1. Archon Fung, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and Joshua Cohen, Department of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT)
2. Http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/%5CPAPERS27%5CPAPER2667.htm
3. www.archonfung.net/papers/Cohen_Fung_Debate
4. www.usip.org/pubs/working_papers/wp2_democracy_burma, retreived on 19th December, 2008
5. Reflections on Human development by Mahbubul Haq Published by Oxford University Press US, 1995
6. Burma’s Economy 2008: Current Situation and Prospects for Reform, Burma Economic Watch/Economics Department, Sean Turnell, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
7. http://www.dassk.com/news.php
8. http://www.usenet.com/newsgroups/soc.culture
9. http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/sanctions_briefing.html#impact, retrieved on 12th December, 2008
10. http://www.blc-burma.org/aboutus.html, retreived 12TH December, 2008
11. International Crisis group report, 2008
12. The seven-step “roadmap” to disciplined democracy announced by Gen. Khin Nyunt on 30 August 2003
13. http://www.blc.burma.org, retrieved on 18th December, 2008
14. Archon Fung, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and Joshua Cohen, Department of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT)
15. Almond and Verba, 1965; Weil, 1989, Citizen attitudes and political behavior
16. Archon Fung, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and Joshua Cohen, Department of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT)
17. http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/whatsdem/whatdm2.htm
18. www.ciaonet.org/coursepack/cp05/cp05ac.html, retreived on 18th December, 2008
19. news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html, retreived on 18th December, 2008