Overseas Burmese journalists established the Burma Media Association (BMA) in 2001 with a mission to establish freedom of expression in Burma, or Myanmar, now being ruled by a military dictator.
The BMA has been carrying out advocacy and campaign activities to restore democracy in Burma, which saw arrest and intimidation of numerous journalists by the military junta on false charges.

The main objectives of the BMA, as described in its constitution, are as follows:

(a) To bring together all journalists and any person who are interested to promote freedom of media in Burma;
(b) To provide a forum for the interchange of information;
(c) To practice freedom of expression;
(d) To protect journalists;
(e) To support democracy and freedom in Burma;
(f) To collect news regarding Burma;
(g) To assist members to more effectively perform their duties;
(h) To conduct workshops, seminars and training for members, and
(i) To promote the interests of the membership.


In its mission statement, the BMA said with the priority being given to the democratization and improvement of human rights in Burma there is need for a systematic monitoring and coverage of news and information about Burma for distribution within the fastest possible time. In the future new democratic state, it is very important for the media to be firm for the perpetuation of freedom and justice.
Therefore, in order to stand steadfastly before the "Truth" in making efforts to revive the Burmese Media, the BMA was founded with the concerted efforts by the interested Burmese nationals all over the world and their alien friends who are sympathetic to the their cause.
The BMA, headquartered in Washington, DC, USA, hopes to shift the headquarters to Burma once democracy is restored there.
The BMA has several categories of members all over the world. The categories include full members, honorary members, associate members, student members, retired members and special members.
This BMA uses three methods to carry out campaign for the release of imprisoned Burmese journalists. The methods are as follows:


Postcard campaign

This type of campaign was developed for action groups or organizations that wish to obtain at least 50 or more postcards. Postcards can be ordered writing a letter to Burma Media Association, 600 Orrin Street, Vienna, VA 22180, USA, or sending an email to tarasoe@aol.com. These postcards can be circulated among the Burmese embassies in selected countries as well as the government by the rights groups to press for the release of detained journalists.


Letter or fax campaign

This type of campaign is appropriate for individual campaigners. One has to take a print out of the campaign letter available in its website (https://www.bma-online.net) with postcard image (2 pages) either in English or Burmese (PDF files), put his name and signature on it, and post or fax it to one of the Burmese embassies. The website contains addresses and fax numbers of the Burmese embassies in selected countries.


Online campaign

This is the simplest and easiest way of campaign. One has to just visit its website, put his name at the box beneath the campaign letter and click the send buttons. The letter will be sent automatically to the email addresses of key Burmese embassies.

Copyright © 2004 Third World Media Journal A Quarterly Publication of Third World Media Network (TWMN)