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Friday, January 21 7:12 PM SGT
Myanmar Govt Issues Tough Internet RestrictionsBANGKOK (AP)--Myanmar's military regime has forbidden posting of political writings on the Internet although it has yet to allow public access to cyberspace.Myanmar Post and Telecommunications, a government agency, has issued tough regulations for Internet users, that were broadcast on state-run television. Prohibitions include publishing anything on the net that is "detrimental" to Myanmar or "directly or indirectly detrimental to the current policies and secret security affairs of the government." "Writings related to politics are not to be posted," the TV Myanmar broadcast said. All media are tightly controlled by the state in Myanmar, also known as Burma, which has been ruled by the military since 1962. Currently there is no Internet provider. Under existing law, possession of a computer or fax, or setting up an unauthorized computer network, is punishable with jail terms of up to 15 years. Last month, the two local private e-mail providers using overseas servers were suspended by the government, which announced the MPT was the sole agency authorized to provide e-mail. The regime is sensitive to the large volume of Web sites and newsgroups posted overseas on the net by exiled dissidents and foreign supporters of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Her party swept the last general elections held in the country but was barred by the military from taking office. However, the publication of the regulations may signal the establishment of the country's first Internet service, which the government has earlier indicated would come some time this year. The rules specify that users of the MPT's Internet service must obtain "prior permission from the organization designated by the state to create web pages." Any violators of the regulations will face "legal action" and have their account suspended, the TV broadcast said. |