Burma an ‘Enemy of the Internet’

By Joseph Allchin — Democratic Voice of Burma

Internet repression in Burma is among the strictest in the world, according to a report released today by a Paris-based media watchdog.

The findings were released to coincide  with the World Day Against Cyber Censorship, an initiative started by Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF), which also releases an annual Press Freedom Index.

Alongside Burma on RSF's Enemies of the Internet report are Saudi Arabia, China, North Korea, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Uzbekistan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam.

It accuses Burma, as well as North Korea, Cuba and Turkmenistan, of being "determined to use any means necessary to prevent their citizens from having access to the Internet".

The group of highlighted last year's trial of Burma opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, when the junta "did not hesitate to cut the telephone and Internet lines of the city in which she was detained".

It warns that in times of political instability in Burma the Internet will become even slower than its usual poor performance. During these times, such as the 2007 monk-led uprising, it can take up to an hour to send an email with no attachments.

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