Keeping the Censors Sweet

Description: 

Bribery is a part of everyday life for Burma?s press... "From the outside, the three-story building at number six is as nondescript as the other houses and businesses on Wingabar Road just outside downtown Rangoon. Inside, however, the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division headquarters stands out from the majority of the capital?s Spartan offices and government departments because of its abundant furniture and electrical appliances. ?The PSRD office is lavishly decorated, even the toilet,” said one regular visitor, a journalist who requested anonymity. A closer look at the DVD players, televisions, stereos and furniture that fill the building reveals small identification tags, each with the name of a leading Burma publication. The labels allow Burma?s censorship board to keep track of the journals that have paid up in full—each appliance and piece of furniture is a mandatory bribe..."

Creator/author: 

Clive Parker

Source/publisher: 

"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 13, No. 8

Date of Publication: 

2005-08-17

Date of entry: 

2010-09-08

Grouping: 

  • Individual Documents

Category: 

Language: 

English

Format: 

Size: 

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