In the Service of Power: Media Capture and the Threat to Democracy Newspapers are often sold for 400-500 MMK a copy, or approximately $0.33-$0.41; the advertising market is not developed in the majority of the regions and ethnic states, and most media get few, if any, ads. 45 Although donor funding has not been large enough to distort or capture the national media market, it does have that capacity in the regions, including in the ethnic states (research carried out by report author Jane Madlyn McElhone for the Open Society Foundations, November 2015- March 2016). 46 The Media Development Investment Fund is currently operating a three-year business coaching program with Burmese media, with funding from SIDA. According to the aforementioned OSF 2016 ethnic media mapping (see note 63), business development is one of the most important issues for ethnic media. 47 Shan Herald Agency for News and Karen Information Center are online radio pioneers in the ethnic states. 48 Interview with the Media Development Investment Fund’s Asia Director Tessa Piper. 49 Author’s research in Burma’s ethnic states, including an interview with Gary Rozema from Burma Relief Centre, and with ethnic media from Mon and Kayin States. 50 Interview with Myanmar Now founder and journalist, Thin Lei Win, Yangon, June 2016. 51 Burma’s constitution guarantees 25 percent of the seats in parliament are reserved for the unelected military. The military controls three ministries, including Home Affairs, Border Affairs, and Defense. It also has its own print and broadcast media. The placement of permanent secretaries in all of the ministries in the lead-up to the 2015 elections was viewed as an effort to militarize them. 52 Interview with press council member Myint Kyaw, Yangon, April 2016. 53 Interview with Human Rights, Human Dignity International Film Festival ExecutiveDirector and journalist Mon Mon Myat, Yangon, June 2016. 54 Interview with Mon Mon Myat, Yangon, August 22, 2016. 55 Naw Noreen. 2017. “Military files complaint over satirical article published by local daily.” DVB, April 28. http://www.dvb.no/news/military-files-complaint-satirical-articlepublished-local-daily/75297; interview with press council member Thiha Saw, Yangon, April 2017; http://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/editor-detained-06022017154730. html/. 56 Several provisions recognizing free expression, including freedom of assembly and association, contain limitations. Article 365: “Every citizen shall, in accord with the law, have the right to freely develop literature, culture, arts, customs and traditions they cherish. In the process, they shall avoid any act detrimental to national solidarity. Moreover, any particular action which might adversely affect the interests of one or several other national races shall be taken only after coordinating with and obtaining the settlement of those affected.”; see (PEN America 2015). 57 In August 2015 the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, voiced concern about the rising number of arrests and intimidation in Burma, stating that “civil society actors, journalists and ordinary citizens exercising their rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association are not threats.” See http://www. un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=51612 of human rights. 58 Interview with Myint Kyaw, Yangon, 25 August 2016. 44 78