Democratic Voice of Burma
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Democratic Voice of Burma (or DVB) is a non-profit media organization based in Oslo, Norway. Run by Burmese expatriates, it makes radio and television broadcasts aimed at providing uncensored news and information about Burma (Myanmar), the country's military regime, and its political opposition.
In July 1992, DVB began broadcasting programming into Burma. According to DVB, these broadcasts reach "millions" of listeners. As of January 2007 the organization delivers two hours of programming daily via shortwave radio from 0600 to 0700 local time (2330-0030 UTC) on 5955 kHz (49 metre band) and from 2100 to 2200 local time (1430-1530 UTC) on 9415 kHz (31 metre band) and 17495 kHz (16 metre band).
On May 28, 2005, DVB expanded its programming and began satellite television broadcasts into Burma. The organization stated that it hoped to reach some ten million Burmese through this new effort (which it claims is the first free and independent Burmese language television channel), which was funded in part by non-governmental organizations such as Free Voice of the Netherlands, the National Endowment for Democracy, and the Freedom of Expression Foundation.
[edit] Mission
DVB states that is has four primary goals:
- the provision of "accurate and unbiased news to the people of Burma"
- to "promote understanding and cooperation" among Burma's religious and ethnic populations
- to "encourage and sustain independent public opinion" and to provide for "social and political debate"
- to "impart the ideals of democracy and human rights" to the Burmese people
