Ad Appears for USDA Political Journals

By WAI MOE

An advertisement for two journals that will broaden their coverage to include political affairs in Burma, published by a junta-backed mass organization, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), appeared in The New Light of Myanmar, a junta-backed newspaper, on Friday.

Seinle Shwe Pyi Journal will now include coverage of the 2010 election while Shwe Naing-ngan Journal will broaden its coverage to include more political and military affairs issues, including publishing directives of the Tatmadaw (the armed forces).

The ad said the Seinle Shwe Pyi Journal, Volume VI, No. 8 and Shwe Naing-ngan Journal, Volume VII, No. 21, were published on Thursday.

The office location for both journals is at Panchan Tower in Myaynigone in Sanchaung Township in Rangoon, according to the ad.

An official at the office told The Irrawaddy on Friday that the journals are published by the USDA. He declined to provide further information.

The USDA reportedly plans to publish a daily prior to the 2010 election. Reporters have been told by the organization that it will pay a competitive salary—150,000 kyat (US $150) per month—at the new daily, which does not yet have a name.

USDA members attended a journalism training course in Rangoon in February which was held under the direction of Information Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, according to journalists in Rangoon.

Kyaw Hsan once vowed that he “will fight back against the media using media.”