A FORMER photographic journalist for banned Myanmar news organisation ‘Mizzima’ says the ban was predictable but saddening.

Coffs Harbour resident Ms Aye Win told News Of The Area that ‘Mizzima’, her previous employer from 2003-2007, has been banned from news production by the military junta.

‘Mizzima’ news works across print, radio, television, youtube and facebook.

‘Mizzima’, which translates to impartial, is just one of a number of media organisations forced underground by the ban.

Ms Aye Win said, “It was predictable but the workers at Mizzima are always prepared and are clever too so I am happy they can still work.”

Her former colleagues stopped working on February 1 in anticipation of an impending ban.

Now they are still working remotely without disclosing their whereabouts.

“But it was really sad that they had to leave a big office in Rangoon (Yangon) where they were peacefully working before.

“Now they are running from elsewhere and hiding but still manage to broadcast the news.”

Their mission statement says, ‘Mizzima aims to provide high quality news on a variety of topics with hard news, features, investigative stories, etc. relating to Myanmar which is balanced, timely, and accurate for Burmese and international audiences.

‘By producing high quality news, Mizzima contributes to freedom of expression, opinion and the free flow of information in the public interest.’

At the time of printing one hundred and twenty six people have been killed by the junta and one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven people arrested for peacefully demonstrating.

Ms Aye Win fears they may not all be released alive.

She praised the Australian government’s recent action in cutting military ties with Myanmar.

Ms Aye Win added that the situation is dire and people really need support with not much food to buy in the market and with banks shut the money in people’s pockets is dwindling.

 

By Sandra MOON