During the past month, township chiefs in Magway Region have not allowed seven planned literary events to be held, according to writers who tried to speak in the area.
The writers had planned to talk about rebuilding the country, changing the mindset of the public, national hero General Aung San and other topics. “When we went there, the organizers had already built pavilions. When the literary talks drew closer, authorities informed them they would not allow the talks,” Writer Maung Tha Cho told Mizzima. Similarly, the well–known Burmese meteorologist Tun Lwin told Mizzima that authorities did not allow his planned talk to be held in Thayat Township on January 9. Tun Lwin said he always talked about meteorology, changing weather conditions and environmental conservation on the talk shows and banning his talk prevents him him from educating people about meteorological issues. The cartoonist Aw P Kyel was also affected by the ban.
According to several of the writers, they have been able to give literary talks freely across the country except in Magway Region.
Writer Than Myint Aung said, “The president and the government members said good things, but the lower-level officials do not obey the instructions given from their superior officials.”