The (Martial) Art of Writing

By AUNG ZAW JANUARY, 2001 - VOLUME 9 NO.1

COMMENTS (0)

TEXT SIZE

(Page 2 of 2)

While this may be seen as a relaxation of restrictions on the press, few writers believe that they enjoy any greater freedom now than they did in the past. "They will never tolerate it if we write about politics," remarked Tin Maung Than. "I don’t think there is any relaxation." A recent decision to allow a Time magazine report on the HIV/Aids situation in Burma to enter the country uncensored has also been seen by some as a sign that the regime has relaxed its guard against criticism. Even foreign magazines, which have a very limited readership inside Burma, are normally subjected to stringent censorship. But the decision to let the Time article pass is not so remarkable, considering that in 1995, Tin Maung Than’s Thintbawa ran a cover story on HIV/Aids without running into trouble with the authorities, even though it pointed out some inaccuracies in official figures on the disease. Official ambivalence about this subject appears to have created a gray zone into which more intrepid writers may occasionally stray. Considering the risks, however, it’s not surprising that many prefer to stick to writing kung fu novels.

« previous 1 | 2 |

COMMENTS (0)