Media
The nation of Burma currently has no press freedom, as it is ruled by an oppressive military regime that restricts most sources of information in an attempt to control people and suppress a transition to democracy. Most of news released is in Burmese, with other surreptitiously obtained sources typically in English.
For people in Shan State, the largest state in Burma, it is difficult for them to find information in their native Shan language regarding people from Shan State and events occurring in Shan State and Burma. The few information sources that are available to Shan people lack a focus on youth and issues specifically relating to the younger generation, a focus greatly needed to encourage youth involvement in social and democratic change in Burma.
To provide people of Shan state reaching information, Shan Youth Power founded media team named Youth Power Media Project in 2002.
Goal
To promote social and democratic awareness and advocacy among youth, and forward progress towards change in Burma
Newsletter
The newsletter is produced every 2 months and is titled, “Youth Power Media Magazine.” It is one of only two Shan-language newsletters regularly available, and the only one with a youth focus. The newsletter features several regular sections; current news (particularly focusing on politics and human rights cases), youth activities, culture, health, political cartoons, and poetry from the readers.
So far, a total number of 19 newsletters have been released. And for each edition, 1,000 copies are printed in Shan language and are distributed in Thailand, along the Thai-Burma border, along the China-Burma border, and in some parts of Shan State. Plus, it is sent to overseas Shan.
Website
Shan Youth Power is the first group which created Shan language website in 2003. The website is posted in Shan language, and it focuses on many issues, such as Burma and Shan State news, world news, culture, environment, health, technology, article, poem, cartoon, and joke, in order to promote social and democratic awareness and advocacy among youth.
In addition, the Shan language website of SYP continues to experience an increase in visitors each year. In order to access to the website please visit www.youthpowermedia.org.
