Myanmar to launch new "international" television station

Yangon - Myanmar's junta plans to launch a new 'international' television channel next month, media sources said Thursday.
'We are planning to launch new English-language channel 'Myanmar International' on the coming Armed Forces Day on March 27,' said an official from Ministry of Information who requested anonymity.
'The new channel is aimed at letting the international community know true national trends, progress, beauty, nature and prevailing conditions of Myanmar and helping Myanmar nationals abroad ease the pain of homesickness,' the state-run New Light of Myanmar daily reported Thursday.
The new channel is to use foreign news anchors, according to sources.
'I think it is the very first time for Myanmar state-owned broadcast media to use foreign news anchors. I think they (the government) intend to launch Myanmar International like Channel News Asia style,' a local journalist said, comparing the new Myanmar channel to the popular Singapore news station.
Singapore-based media firm The Green Orange Private is reportedly providing professional assistance for the new station.
Myanmar, which has been under a military dictatorship since 1962, has one of the world's most repressed domestic media. Foreigners are not allowed to be based in the country as journalists and journalist visas are rarely granted.
Much of the local press is government-owned and the remainder comes under heavy government censorship.

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