This edition of CDT ChinaCast goes a little farther afield as we speak with an experienced reporter from Burma about the recent Burma crisis. Because of strict censorship and media control in Burma, we won’t use his name of our source or go into too much details of his background.
Since the incident happened last month, he is currently overseas, has been trying to connect with his reporter friends in Burma everyday. First he chatted with them online and got photos and the updated news. But only until September 26, when the Burmese military started to crackdown on the demonstrations, shot monks and people on the street, and cut off access to the Internet. Then the communication became difficult. He called his friends but could only have short conversations, as there was the third ear.
In this Q & A with CDT, he points out the message that can be learned from this event. As he says, “the Burma military went too far this time…” He also tells us that citizen journalism made a big difference to bring the latest news and images out. Thus, unlike in the past, the military was not able to cover up their crackdown, which sadly is still continuing. He also talks about China’s important role countering the Burma government. As the Burmese junta’s only major life-line, China could have shaken up the government by sending them a strong message. Yet what happened was disappointing.
Listen to the interview here.
CDT ChinaCast is a podcast series of short and informal conversations with journalists, business people, artists and others doing interesting work in or about China.
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