Taking Over the Airwaves

Description: 

Private FM radio stations are sprouting up all over Burma, offering listeners a variety of entertainment and, of course, government propaganda... "Almost every household in Burma has a radio on nowadays. Many families fight over what program to listen to. Father wants to hear the news and sports; the kids listen to pop music and celebrity interviews; mum tunes in every day to the fortune-teller, while grandmother enjoys the Buddhist monks? recitals. Many Burmese own cheap, Chinese-made radios that can pick up both FM and shortwave broadcasts. (Photo: YUZO/The Irrawaddy) FM radio is booming in more ways than one in Burma. The stale government broadcasts of the 80s and 90s have been replaced by popular independent stations all across the country, from Moulmein to Myitkyina. The Ministry of Information renewed licenses in 2009 for eight private radio stations which transmit high-fidelity broadcasts on FM bands. Stations are licensed to broadcast daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and are allowed to solicit revenue from advertising..."

Creator/author: 

Ko Htwe

Source/publisher: 

"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 18, No. 1

Date of Publication: 

2010-01-00

Date of entry: 

2010-02-28

Grouping: 

  • Individual Documents

Category: 

Language: 

English

Format: 

Size: 

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