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2. Investigative Reporting Radio/Television Program
“Heroes of Myanmar.” Interviewees emphasized the heightened level of tension among religious groups in Myanmar in addition to the existing ethnic divisions. Bridging these divides
and mitigating negative stereotypes among diverse groups can be addressed through a series of investigative reports highlighting heroes of Myanmar. Short reports would reveal how
common people from different religious and ethnic backgrounds have done small acts of heroism to help others solve problems, assist in their communities, or prevent violence. For example,
the Buddhist monk who provided a safe haven for four hundred Muslims in his community
after a spate of religious violence broke out in Meikhtila.
Technical elements
Target audience
General population of Myanmar
Format
Short investigative reports for radio or television
Broadcast component
TV: weekly thirty-minute program with several short reports; radio: twice weekly fifteen-minute programs
Outreach components
program tip line to accept new stories of heroes across the country; information also collected through
A
social media and letter writing in rural areas
udience feedback built into each program (via call-ins) to facilitate discussion about solutions to ethnicA
religious issues
Documentaries on the most popular and compelling issues produced for public service broadcasting
Desired outcomes
Knowledge
Better understanding among citizens of the peaceful aspects of each other’s religion
Awareness of shared problems and possible problem-solving options with people from different ethnicities
and religious orientations
nderstanding that some sources of information about other faiths and ethnicities are more trustworthy
U
than others
Attitude
Acceptance of Myanmar as a multifaith, multiethnic country
Tolerance for people from other ethnic and religious groups, and less willingness to fall back on negative
stereotypes
Confidence in the capacity to solve problems
Behavior
Applying lessons learned from heroes to solve problems in communities
Interethnic and interreligious dialogue opened; hate speech and discrimination not tolerated
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