Officials warn authors not to discuss politics or “issues that might threaten state security” at meetings.
The October 2004 purge of Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt and his subordinates has brought even tighter censorship. Though no official announcement was made, Rangoon is believed to have ordered the suspension of this season’s literary tour. Venues are having problems getting permission to hold events. “We can’t see any traditional literary talks in town for this season,” laments a Rangoon-based writer.