Seven more private magazines and nine more private journals have been granted by the Myanmar authorities for publication and circulation in the country, the local weekly Myanmar Times reported Friday.

The emergence of the new publications has brought the total number of private magazines and journals being sold in the domestic markets to 250 and 200 respectively, the Press Scrutiny and Registration Board of the Ministry of Information was quoted as saying.

According to the report, among the journals granted over the past two years, sports journals dominated in number, followed by news journals which carry domestic and international news, news related to arts, children, health and crime.

Myanmar has readjusted its press scrutiny and registration policy by lifting some restrictions previously imposed upon news writing by journals and magazines with the aim of enhancing the development of press society.

According to the ministry which has taken over the duties of the press scrutiny and registration from the Ministry of Home Affairs since February 2005, the publication and distribution of journals and magazines are being continuously granted as long as it conforms to the prescribed policy.

The ministry outlined seven-point press policy for writers to adhere to, which include opening up to reporters of journals and magazines on writing about government departments but be constructive; permitting of writing on domestic and international news quoting foreign media but be in the interest of the nation or be rejected if harming the nation.

The policy permits carrier of translated international news and comments in local media but with assurance that it does not cause disturbances among the nations.

The policy permits writing news on natural disaster but in a confirmed manner.

The number of journals covering domestic news has grown over the past eight years in Myanmar, thanks to market demand and the emergence of more such journals also contributes to the development of journalism, readers said.

Leading news journals include Flower News, Yangon Times, Myanmar Times, Weekly Eleven News, 7-Day News, Kumudra, Khit Myanmar, International Eleven, Voice, 24/7 News, Zaygwet, Internet, Snap Shot and Popular.

Meanwhile, the New Light of Myanmar, both Myanmar and English languages, as well as the Mirror remain as the country's three major state-run dailies acting as the government's mouthpieces.

Other official statistics show that there were a total of over 5,000 printing houses and 759 publishers in Myanmar as of 2005.

More than 9,700 titles of books on various topics were also published.

Source: Xinhua