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Partners (audio interviews)

Interviews with Khin Maung Win and “Joshua”, two activists for the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB)

In May 2009, Rights & Democracy sponsored a Toronto-screening of the film Burma VJ from documentary director Anders Østergaard. Rights & Democracy interviewed Khin Maung Win and “Joshua”, two activists from the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), a non-profit media organization featured in the film. In the interviews, they both detail the role of DVB in a country ruled by a military regime.

Interview with Khin Maung Win
According to Khin Maung Win, Deputy Director of DVB in Oslo, this organization is a network of about 80 contributors. They are journalists but also activists working for freedom and media expression, a risky job in Burma. Colleagues have been arrested, tortured and imprisoned for long term sentences in remote prisons to keep the families away. The international press agencies in Burma are limited by the government in terms of what they can say, so DVB acts as an alternative to provide information to the media for them to broadcast to their audience worldwide. DVB stands as a media organization dedicated to media coverage rather than political action, but its role when reporting about social movements certainly contributes to political change. Recent support from Canada has helped train recruits, supply them equipment, and consolidate DVB's network across the country.

Download the interview - mp3 file

Interview with Joshua
According to Joshua, Burma VJ contributes to increasing international support and recognition for DVB. Joshua presents himself as a dedicated journalist and he relates how the population is eager to tell what they experience. In spite of the extreme sentences imposed on opponents of the Burma political regime, younger generations do expect change and Joshua dreams of a bright future. He adds, “DVB goes on air on a daily basis, so you have to be in time in any step, in any thing you do. Being a journalist in this context puts a lot of pressure.”

Download the interview - mp3 file

The following topics are covered in the interviews:

QUESTIONS FOR KHIM MAUNG WIN

  1. Considering the harsh jailed sentences to activists including journalists in Burma, is it difficult for DVB to recruit new journalists?
  2. Can you speak about DVB obligation and responsibility towards the families of the journalists?
  3. What is the difference between DVB and other international media which are broadcasting inside Burma (BBC, VOA and RFA)?
  4. Do you think DVB contributes to democratic change in Burma?
  5. Canada, through Rights & Democracy is supporting DVB, is this important to you?
  6.  What can Canadians do to support peace, human rights and democracy in Burma?

QUESTIONS FOR JOSHUA

  1. What has been the impact of BURMA VJ?
    • For DVB
    • For the pro-democracy movement
    • In Burma and internationally
  2. What consequences do the underground DVB journalists face if they are arrested?
  3. Why are you doing this job?
  4. Are people in Burma afraid to criticize the military regime on satellite TV?
  5. Do you have hope for the future?
  6. Do you think youth in Burma wants to see change and how?
  7. Describe for us a day in the life of a DVB journalist…