A Chance to Fix in Time: Analysis of Freedom of Expression in Four Years Under the Current Government Introduction Chapter (1): Introduction 1.1 Background Myanmar has stayed in the nightmare of freedom of expression since 1962. It is widely said that the 1947 Constitution could guarantee the right to freedom of expression and opinion after independence. Burma was ranked at the top places among Asian countries in terms of media freedom in 1950. However, human rights including the right to freedom of expression were dashed under the one-party authoritarian system led by the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) that was formed under the regime led by General Ne Win after a coup d'état in 1962. The repressive one-party system, loss of fundamental human rights, economic crisis and worsened socioeconomic status resulted in 8888 nationwide democracy revolution with a mass mobilisation across the country. The 1990 multi-party general election was held after the revolutionary uprising, however, the entire country was ruled 2 Chapter (1): Introduction