Myanmar: Outline of Rules Affecting Freedom of Expression
Table of Contents
1.
Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1
2.
Content Rules................................................................................................................. 3
2.1.
Criminal Rules ............................................................................................................... 3
2.1.1.
2.1.2.
2.1.3.
2.1.4.
2.1.5.
2.1.6.
2.2.
Civil Rules ...................................................................................................................... 8
2.2.1.
2.2.2.
3.
Defamation ......................................................................................................................... 8
Privacy ................................................................................................................................ 9
2.3.
The Right to Information ............................................................................................. 10
2.4.
Online Content ........................................................................................................... 11
Media Regulation ......................................................................................................... 11
3.1.
Overview ..................................................................................................................... 12
3.1.1.
3.1.2.
3.1.3.
3.2.
Independence of Regulatory Bodies ................................................................................ 12
Diversity ............................................................................................................................ 12
Commercial Issues ............................................................................................................ 14
Regulation of Different Media Sectors ........................................................................ 15
3.2.1.
3.2.2.
3.2.3.
3.2.4.
3.2.5.
4.
Hate speech ....................................................................................................................... 3
National Security/Public Order........................................................................................... 4
Obscenity ........................................................................................................................... 6
Protection of the judiciary .................................................................................................. 6
Blasphemy Laws ................................................................................................................. 7
False News Rules ................................................................................................................ 7
Journalists ......................................................................................................................... 15
Print Media ....................................................................................................................... 16
Private Broadcasters ......................................................................................................... 17
Public Service Broadcasting ............................................................................................. 18
Digital Space .................................................................................................................... 19
Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 20
The Centre for Law and Democracy is a non-profit human rights organisation working
internationally to provide legal expertise on foundational rights for democracy.
i