Music industry gearing up for digital future

Despite the scourge of pirated CDs and illegal music downloads seriously threatening local digital music sales, Myanmar artist are tapping into digital music in anticipation of the country’s first digital revolution.

Given its shoddy digital infrastructure, snail-paced internet speed and low digital quotient, it would be quite a while before that revolution comes knocking on Myanmar’s doors. However, the music industry, arguably the most progressive of all sectors, is charging ahead into a digital future by undergoing a slow-motion digital transformation with CDs, VCDs and DVDs still being the order of the day.

What really constitutes a quantum leap forward in Myanmar’s pursuit of the digital age is the launch of the country’s first “à la carte” online music store last October.

South Korean girl group 2NE1 to mesmerise Yangon

South Korean girl group 2NE1 will perform their first concert in Myanmar on August 2 at Yangon’s Thuwunna Stadium, according to the organisers Samsung Myanmar.

The first 50 customers who buy Samsung Tab S devices at the promotional events in Yangon and Mandalay on July 4 and 5 are entitled to free tickets.

“Sometimes we have to engage music [artists] to promote our products around the world. 2NE1 is a widely recognised K-pop outfit. That’s why we’ve been inviting them to do a promotion tour in Southeast Asian countries over the past few years. As for this year we have arranged for them to perform in Myanmar,” said Samsung Myanmar marketing manager Kyaw Swar Linn.

Myanmar viewers prefer Thai satellite receivers

Myanmar television viewers for sport programmes opt for Thai satellite dishes which are three to four times less expensive than those supplied by local broadcaster Sky Net, sources in local market said.

Thai satellite receivers, such as IPM and PSI, can air more than 100 free channels, including World Cup matches. They are best sellers in the market because of reasonable pricing at around Ks 35,000 to Ks 40,000, a shop owner said.

“The pricing makes the different. Lately customers prefer Thai satellite receivers because they are broadcasting live World Cup matches this year plus 100 free programmes,” the shop owner said.

Myanmar calls for promoting socially responsible media for ASEAN community

NAY PYI TAW, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar Vice President Dr. Sai Mauk Kham on Thursday called for promoting socially responsible media for the ASEAN community, stressing that media is an important channel for ASEAN peoples to promote core values of ASEAN which is unity in diversity.

Addressing the opening of the 12th ASEAN Ministers Meeting Responsible for Information (AMRI), Sai emphasized the important role of ASEAN interconnectivity with media standing as a bridge between ASEAN people to enhance friendship and understanding.

Myanmar Is Looking To Have A Second Concert And Feature Artists Such As 2NE1 And More

Following the success of the first K-Pop concert in Myanmar, fans may get the opportunity to experience the energy of their favorite idol groups once again.

Thanks to the work of Myanmar's Pee Paw Entertainment and Korea's DM Company which brought major success for the first concert, Myanmar wants to hold another K-Pop concert in the near future and are currently in talks of coordinating one soon.

Bo Bo Entertainment is currently attempting to organize another concert event with notable K-Pop acts.

Myanmar, BBC to work for broadcast media reform

YANGON, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's Information Ministry will closely work with British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for broadcast media reform, state media reported Tuesday.

The two parties will work for overcoming unforeseen challenges of broadcast media reform in Myanmar, Minister of Information U Aung Kyi was quoted by the New Light of Myanmar as saying.

MySQAR: Myanmar's First Social Network

MySQUAR’s vision is to connect all Burmese nationals with an accessible social platform. To create a space where Burmese nationals can meet, connect and share with no boundaries or limitations.

This is the vision behind the rapidly growing Burmese-language social media platformMySQUAR. Founded last year by Rita Nguyen, usage has skyrocketed in past months.

Myanmar bands to make a splash

Beloved Myanmar rock bands Empire and Iron Cross will take the stage at Thingyan water festival celebrations this year in Yangon.

The water festival, known as Songkran in Thailand, is the highlight of the Myanmar New Year holiday, which runs from April 12 to 21.

Iron Cross lead singer Chit San Maung will perform at the Htoo Co-sponsored Pyay Road pavilion, as he did last year, DVB reported on Tuesday. The lead man said the band has organised guest acts to join them on stage for the special show.

Myanmar-Thai film seminar showcases production techniques

A joint Myanmar-Thai seminar on the film industry titled “A Bright Future” was held at the Chatrium Hotel in Yangon on March 29.

The seminar is part of the Thai Film Festival Yangon 2014 which is being organised by Thai company Kantana JK, in cooperation with Myanmar Media 7 from March 28 to 30.

“These kinds of seminars are good. Thai companies intend to distribute their films. Companies from Myanmar side want help from them. Now there is an understanding to distribute qualified Myanmar films through their companies,” said one attendant.

A murky future for Myanmar’s private print media

Since the government gave the green light to 16 private daily newspapers on April 1, 2013, many are finding the harsh realities of Myanmar’s publishing market too hard to cope.

Despite initial optimism, only seven of the new papers are currently in circulation and the remaining face the possibility of suspension and shutdown.

“It is just like a boat race. Our paddle has broken now while rowing,” said Thauk Kyar, chief editor of The Golden New Land, which was among four dailies that started publishing in April last year.

Myanmar seeks transformation of state media into public service media

Myanmar is seeking a transformation of its state-run media into a public service media in a bid to narrow the knowledge gap among the country's people, state media reported Tuesday.

A public service media bill has been submitted to the parliament's Lower House for approval, Minister of Information U Aung Kyi was quoted as saying.

"The bill was drafted with the assistance of UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) so that the bill can be in conformity with the principles of diversity of media pluralism," U Aung Kyi told the parliament Monday.

Myanmar enacts first media law

Myanmar's government has enacted its first Media Law that would assure continued freedom currently enjoying by local media, after nearly five decades of censorship and harsh restrictions under military rule.

Information Ministry sources said Tuesday that President Thein Sein, a former army general who came to power following parliamentary elections in 2011, signed into law a related bill that approved by parliament earlier this month.

Myanmar Seeks To Transform State Media Into Public Service Media

YANGON, March 18 (Bernama) -- Myanmar is seeking to transform its state-run media into a public service media in a bid to narrow the knowledge gap among the people.

Minister of Information U Aung Kyi said a bill had been submitted to the parliament's Lower House for approval, Xinhua news agency reported citing local press.

"The bill was drafted with the help of UNESCO to enable it to be in conformity with the principles of diversity of media pluralism," U Aung Kyi told the parliament Monday.

Myanmar media: In sweet spot of transition

The landscape of media freedom in Southeast Asia shows a mix of government regimes and media systems. To provide a regional perspective is therefore a complex task.

The Freedom House Index ranks countries according to state of political and civic liberties available to citizens, along with a ranking of press freedom. The classifications are three: Free, Partly Free and Not Free states. Of the ten states in the ASEAN, no country is currently classified as Free. Only three make it as Partly Free: East Timor, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Private Myanmar newspapers struggle to stay afloat

YANGON, Myanmar — With tears in his eyes, the chief editor scoured the last-ever edition of his newspaper before sending the proofread copy to the printing press. His once-bustling newsroom was quiet. Some reporters cleared their desks while others tried to cheer up their boss with words of gratitude, or even some homemade pork stew.

Khin Maung Lay is one of many Myanmar journalists who last year embraced the chance to produce independent daily newspapers free from censorship for the first time in five decades. It was not the government that shut him down, but economics: His paper and others have been losing money as they struggle to compete with state-owned papers for advertisers and circulation.

Myanmar ready for sophisticated product reviews—CG chief editor

As Myanmar has developed more transparent interactions with the rest of the world, more international brands, food, and IT products have been entering the country. Thus a consumer guide that includes expert advice and product reviews has become a necessity for local people.

Most countries have consumer guides for automobiles, electronics, housing, health, and various services. As Myanmar is unfamiliar with such consumer guides, Eleven Media recently interviewed Consumer Guide magazine’s chief editor Aung Myo Khin, on the position and principle of the magazine.

Myanmar bookshop among the selection by IPA

The Myanmar publishing house Our Literature has been shortlisted for the Freedom to Publish award given annually by the International Publishers Association (IPA).

The IPA Freedom to Publish Prize is aimed at highlighting and celebrating the courage and tenacity of publishers around world. This year’s nominees are publishing houses from Belarus, Afghanistan, Russia, Turkey, Vietnam and Myanmar.

Communications sector by-laws to be drafted within two months, says MOI

YANGON—By-laws for the print and publishing and media laws approved by the Union parliament on March 4 will be drafted within 60 days, according to a government spokesperson.

Aung Kyaw Oo, director of the Information and Public Relations Department, confirmed the deadline at a press conference held by the Ministry of Information on Sunday (March 9).

MGS buys lion’s share of Myanmar Times

The Myanmar Golden Star (MGS) Company, with close ties to the government, have bought a 51 percent stake of The Myanmar Times on February 28.

MGS is owned by “Pepsi” Thein Htun who runs numerous businesses with government support, and his family members bought the stake from Dr Tin Tun Oo who previously owned it.

“They bought the whole 51 percent stake from us. It’s been long time since we talked about it. They paid cash payment in full for the stake just yesterday. I heard they also bought another half of the Myanmar Times stake owned by foreigners,” said Dr Khin Moe Moe, the wife of Dr Tin Tun Oo.

Online e-book sales to be launched in April

Online sale of Myanmar e-books will be launched on April 1, according to the Myanmar Publishers and Distributors Association.

“The main weakness of the publishers is that we didn’t keep a softcopy after publishing a book. That’s why we have to do everything from the start again after signing with JAS e-Book to launch the online sale programme,” said Myo Aung, chairperson of the Myanmar Publishers and Distributors Association.