19 Jan
2012
19 Jan
'12
2:32 p.m.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 19, 2012
Contact: Rohit Mahajan 202 530 4976 <mailto:mahajanr@rfa.org>
mahajanr(a)rfa.org
Radio Free Asia Launches Nightly Televised News Show in Burma
Aung San Suu Kyi Lauds RFA in Inaugural Episode for Journalistic Excellence
WASHINGTON, DC - Radio Free Asia's Burmese service today broadcast the first
televised episode of its nightly news program in Burma. Hosted by two
co-anchors, the half-hour program aired via television satellite at 8:30
p.m. local time, and featured news about Nobel Peace Prize laureate and
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's registration to participate in the
country's upcoming elections and interviews with recently released Burmese
political prisoners, among other major Burma stories. In a recorded
statement that aired on the inaugural program, Suu Kyi praised Radio Free
Asia (RFA) for its continued excellence in delivering accurate news and
information to the Burmese people.
"It's a great honor to greet the viewers of Radio Free Asia's first ever
television program in Burma. While I was under house arrest, not only did
Radio Free Asia keep me informed about the latest news happening in Burma,
it gave me knowledge," Suu Kyi said.
Nyein Shwe, the director of RFA's Burmese service, said, "With the vastly
growing popularity of television in Burma, this is an exciting opportunity
for Radio Free Asia to build on the phenomenal success of our radio
journalism and reach an even bigger audience. RFA Burmese is seizing this
moment, as great changes are happening in Burma, to meet the needs of a
public yearning for truth."
The 30-minute program airs seven days a week, with new episodes on weekdays
and repeated content on weekends. With content gathered within Burma from
videographers and stringers, the nightly program will feature interviews,
news, and reports on developments in the country, with a focus on the April
1 elections. The televised program supplements the four hours daily RFA
Burmese broadcasts via satellite and shortwave. Television episodes are also
available online on the RFA Burmese service's website at
http://www.rfa.org/burmese/.
# # #
Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation broadcasting and
publishing online news, information, and commentary in nine East Asian
languages to listeners who do not have access to full and free news media.
RFA's broadcasts seek to promote the rights of freedom of opinion and
expression, including the freedom to "seek, receive, and impart information
and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." RFA is funded by
an annual grant from the Broadcasting Board of Governors.
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