conclusions & recommendations Conclusion T his study has found that the flow of information in Mon State is marked primarily by key differences between urban and rural contexts. These differences will have implications for the ability of Myanmar authorities and international organizations to respond and deliver prompt information and aid in the event of a future natural disaster or emergency. While in urban areas information is flowing increasingly through the use of TV and mobile phones, in Mon State’s rural areas prompt receipt of information is often possible only by radio. In both urban and rural areas most respondents still trust and rely heavily on information obtained by word of mouth through trusted interpersonal sources. In the most remote areas, villagers also depend to a significant extent on information obtained from local authorities. Furthermore, Mon State residents depend more than ever before on news and information obtained from domestic media sources. A house with two satellite dishes in Hyaik Hto town © UNI C E F / D h i r a j S i n g h 48 INFORMATION ECOSYSTEMS in transition: a case study from myanmar part one: rese arch findings The future relevance of print media in Mon State’s information ecosystem is subject to negative nationallevel pressures, as independent newspapers could face financial ruin in efforts to produce a daily product. Those most likely to have access to sustaining capital will be those who are already influential and powerful in the media sector (i.e. big businesses and cronies). The market may be further skewed as state-owned dailies transform into public service media and compete with independent media for advertisers. For now, awareness of formerly exiled media in Mon State is confined to the success stories of the internationally based shortwave services BBC, VOA, RFA and (most strikingly) DVB. Future iterations of information ecosystem research in Mon and other ethnic states in Myanmar could perhaps be oriented to explore more deeply the historical role of exiled media in the information ecosystems of conflict-affected areas. The influence of formerly exiled media could also be expected to show up in future information ecosystem research as exiled groups establish a firmer footing inside the country, and bring their local language media capacity to media start-ups in places like Mon State where such capacity has been historically non-existent. 49 how to inform, empower, and impact communities INFORMATION ECOSYSTEMS in transition: a case study from myanmar how to inform, empower, and impact communities PART ONE: RESEARCH FINDINGS