9 Oct 2011

Myanmar censor calls for more media freedom

7:43 am on 9 October 2011

The head of the press censorship department in Myanmar has called for greater freedom in a media that's rated as one of the most tightly controlled in the world.

The official, Tint Swe, told Radio Free Asia that censorship was incompatible with democratic practices and should be abolished in the near future.

However he added that all publications should accept responsibilities that go with press freedom.

His comments will be seen by many as another sign of the new administration's determination to reform, the BBC says.

The military-backed government has already eased controls on some blocked websites and is allowing reports on the activities of the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.