The Irrawaddy suspends Myanmar-language print paper

19 January 2016
The Irrawaddy suspends Myanmar-language print paper
Irrawaddy has had to close down its weekly Myanmar-language journal. Photo: Mizzima

The Irrawaddy news group will suspend its Myanmar language print edition on January 21, citing the difficulty of competing in the marketplace with government-backed publications.
U Thar Lon Zaung Htet, the Myanmar language edition editor, said the weekly publication had failed to turn a profit since launching in 2014. The English language edition of The Irrawaddy magazine suspended publication last September.
“We are saying that it is suspended because we have a plan to republish when the government changes its policies on newspaper publications,” he said, according to the Myanmar Times.
He said state-owned news monopolies have better access to advertisers and distribution deals. Private media groups are lobbying the government to create a media environment that allows independent newspapers and other private media fair play.
“We cannot compete with state-owned newspapers,” he said. “Policies that allow state-owned media to monopolize advertising and the readership need to be amended. If that happens, we will definitely resume publication of our paper.”
The Irrawaddy group will continue its Myanmar and English language digital websites.
According to the Press Scrutiny Department under the Ministry of Information, more than 30 private newspapers have been granted publication licenses since April 2013. A number have ceased publication and some are published irregularly.