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More importantly, the paper has also changed its content, having to make more of an effort to promote the government’s agenda and regularly publish articles written by official propagandists.

 

 

The paper’s Deputy CEO, Sonny Swe, was arrested on November 26 last year in Mandalay. His father is Thein Swe, a member of the Times’ special fast-tracking censorship committee and the brains behind the original launch of the paper. It is believed that one of Sonny Swe’s crimes was bypassing the official censorship board. Originally conceived as a medium to present Burma as being business friendly and to counter negative press reports coming from outside of the country, the paper is generally regarded as something of a government mouthpiece.

 

But not all at The Myanmar Times are in bed with the generals. Some young reporters at the paper are complaining that there is heavy self-censorship within the editorial department and editors (both Burmese and foreigners) do not dare to rock the boat. “We are still colorful,” said one reporter. “But we have to toe the official line.”

 

It would seem that it is no longer Ross Dunkley who is pushing the envelope, but the generals.

 

Ross Dunkley has declined to comment or take phone calls from The Irrawaddy.