The situation in Myanmar
(formerly Burma)
has continued to escalate, and as more time passes the body count is rising.
The violence and harsh, repressive tactics of the military junta regime is
widely known; however, the past month’s events have put a new perspective on
the role and importance of technology and access to information. Our current
tactical discussion has eloquently highlighted the importance of information
access for human rights.

In Myanmar,
the access to information has been hindered by the junta government looking to
isolate the country and retain control. In today’s atmosphere of globalization,
technology, and individual handheld cameras and communication devices, the task
of isolation is more and more difficult for the junta regime to carry out.
Average citizens have more power to be able to get information, photos and even
videos out to the wider world and create public support for the peace and
pro-democracy activists in Myanmar.
Stunning videos and photos have been taken by individuals putting their lives
at risk in Myanmar
in the name of freedom and personal dignity.

Click these links to see various video clips from inside Myanmar (FYI:
videos from youtube.com are posted by individual users who may or may not be
news outlets, but take a look for yourself):

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/09/28/myanmar.irpt/index.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SxZc1mXHos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH_ZqfTOrxk

On Friday (9-28), the government cut off all internet access
in Myanmar
without warning. Blogs coming out of Myanmar, which are sometimes more
effective sources of information than reporters who are blocked and put at risk
in the country, went down. UCLA professor and journalist Tom Plate wrote, in a
recent CNN commentary piece, that the Junta was “trying their best to wire up
an electronic iron curtain around the country.”

But it’s not going to work. Cell phone videos can still be
shot and digitally sent abroad to be uploaded on internet outside the country;
stories can still get out through the limited, but functioning phone service.
Satellite photos taken by international organizations can provide photographic
evidence of large-scale abuses taking place. Contrary to what the present
situation shows us, I believe that the Military Junta is the side facing a
losing battle. I believe that the people putting their lives at risk, moving
with the times, and being resourceful in their campaign for peace and freedom
are the ones who will come out on top.

The violence in Myanmar is likely far more brutal
and horrific than we can know. But all of the news reports and shaky cell phone
videos that we do get to see show us
a harsh and upsetting picture. But it also shows us something else: an
oppressive force struggling to hold onto their crumbling government in the face
of people wanting freedom and democracy. I firmly believe that mixing New Tactics (blogging) with
old, time-tested tactics (peaceful marching) will eventually bring about a
peaceful, fair, and democratically-led Burma.