VOA’s David Ensor and Than Lwin Htun in Napyitaw,Burma

 

VOA Director David Ensor, Burmese Parliament House Speaker, Thura Shwe Mann and VOA Burmese Service Chief Than Lwin Htun held preliminary talks in Burma’s capital, Naypyitaw on Monday, June 4th 2012.

Burma, also known as Myanmar lived under a military dictatorship for decades- with enforced oppressive laws including the suppression of freedom of speech and expression. Recently, however, with the country’s willingness to open its arms to changes, there are talks of press freedom in the country, and VOA is at the forefront in covering this Southeast Asian nation.

What do you think of Burma’s road to reforms and the changes in media law?  What do you hope to see VOA do in the country?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Burma’s Historic By-Election and the NLD Wins by a Land-Slide

Burma’s opposition party, the National League of Democracy won by a land slide in the historic by – elections on April 1st. The NLD won 43 out of 44 seats in parliament up for grabs. This is a milestone for Burma and its people where the lady of Burma, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who was under house arrest just over a year ago, was guaranteed a seat in Burma’s parliament.

Daw Suu made a victory speech at the NLD head quarters just after the announcement of her win, and in her speech she noted the irregularities and some of the illegal campaigning that she had seen, saying that it will not be over looked. Despite it all, the NLD and Daw Suu came out on top winning 43 out of the 44 seats in parliament.

She spoke in both Burmese and English. Here are the speeches:

English Version:

Burmese Version: