Burma ends media censorship

Burma has abolished media censorship, its information ministry announced.

The Press Scrutiny and Registration Department said reporters would no longer have to submit their work to state censors before publication.

Journalists are now free to write on political and social issues, and 300 newspapers and magazines have been given permission to print without censorship. Bans on 30,000 internet sites were also lifted.

“Censorship began on August 6, 1964 and ended 48 years and two weeks later,” said Tint Swe, head of the press department. However, some journalists still fear prosecution if the government finds fault with their work.