Military junta bans 19 writers and performers; poet questioned by authorities
The Burmese regime has banned the work of 19 artists and writers, and some writers and poets are hiding from authorities
because they are being pursued for taking part in the September 2007 uprising.
Among those whose works have been banned is the renowned cartoonist Awpikye, whose three-decade-long career was brought
to a halt by the ban. He was accused of supporting monks in the September 2007 uprising.
"I cannot draw cartoons now; I am upset about it. My fans cannot see my cartoons anymore," he said. "I knew about it
after the advertisement industry told me about the ban. They told to me that my work had been banned from being
published and telecast. Moreover, even my colleagues cannot mention my name in their work. Their work will be censored,
too, if they mention my name," he added.
Award-winning actor and film director Kyaw Thu met the same fate. The regime banned about 20 films and videos in which
he has acted, even though they were cleared by the censorship board. "The ban on screening my movies and videos means
banning everyone involved in their production, too. It means killing the artistes," Kyaw Thu said.
Both Awpikye and Kyaw Thu have found alternative means of earning an income and doing meaningful work, but both are
frustrated and disheartened at being shut out of their real professions.
"Yes, I'm facing some difficulties now. But I'm doing graphic designing and drawing logos as well for commercial
establishments. The ban doesn't affect my commercial work", said Awpikye.
"I can bear the burden of being banned from performing as I have my charity work of providing free funeral service for
the poor. We are getting more donations now as I'm leading this charity organization. Many people encouraged us to
continue our job", said Kyaw Thu.
Others affected by the ban are: Than Myint Aung (female writer); Soe Win Nyein (artist); Oo Swe; Zaw Htet Htwe (sports
journalist); Poe Phyu (film actor); Zarganar (comedian); Aung Way; Nyein Thit; Ludu Daw Amar (female writer); Dagon
Tayar (writer); and Ko Moe Thu (writer).
In response to the ban, some writers have changed their pseudonyms. However, the censorship board - the "literary secret
service" of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) - requires that the biographical information of writers
accompany their work so changing pseudonyms does not work as a strategy to avoid the ban.
The censorship board tightens its rules on some artists, imposes restrictions, and sometimes blacklists writers who
criticize the regime. Sources close to literary workers said that the censorship board always favours publishers close
to the top brass, and who also publish pro-junta articles and news.
In a related incident, in a 4 December 2007 press conference held by SPDC in their new capital Naypyidaw on 4 December
2007, Information Minister Brigadier General Kyaw Hsan discredited Kyaw Thu, comedian and actor Zarganar, and writer
Than Myint Aung as being "unpatriotic" for offering alms to monks during the uprising, and further claimed that
"unscrupulous elements" had incited and misled them.
Meanwhile, Poet Nwe Sein Wai was taken from his home for questioning the day after he attended the 92nd birthday
celebration of renowned writer Ludu Daw Ahmar on 29 November. At the event, poets recited their poems and distributed
collections of their works.
"They took away my husband for questioning. He was released later on the same day. I don't know what (the authorities)
asked my husband. Only he can answer this," his wife said.
ENDS