BBC News’ Jonah Fisher has interviewed Ye Ngwe Soe, lead-singer of the punk band No U Turn, one of the best-known acts on the Rangoon punk scene. “For decades all forms of public expression in Burma have been tightly controlled and music is no exception. For punk rockers like …

The Art of Freedom film festival in January 2012 was a first in Burma, pushing the limits of expression, and screening a wide range of films that were uncensored and critical of the former military regime that ruled the country for decades. The Guardian newspaper described the scene at the …

Win Maw, one of Burma’s most famous musicians, has been released. According to Democratic Voice of Burma, he was released at 13:40pm local time from Kyaukphyu prison in Arakan state. Freemuse has campaigned for his release for several years and last year he succeeded smuggling new songs out of the …

  Censorship boundaries in Burma unclear and unpredictable As authorities in Burma are loosening censorship controls over media and the arts, musicians in Rangoon are excited by their newfound freedom. But they remain unsure of the new limits, reported Voice of America on 12 January 2012. “They have reduced the …

  A specially recorded congratulatory message for Win Maw from Burma’s pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, that was shared with the audience at the 2011 Freedom to Create Prize Concert in Cape Town.   Win Maw     More information 2011 Awards Ceremony – …

Burma’s famous musician and human rights activist Win Maw received the 2011 Freedom to Create Imprisoned Artist Prize in absentia. Launched in 2008, the Freedom to Create Prize is a celebration of the courage and creativity of artists, and the positive influence of their work to promote social justice and …

  A concert event is held on 26 November in Thailand for the Burmese singer and human rights activist Win Maw, imprisoned in Burma since 2008, and now shortlisted for the Freedom to Create Prize.   Nominated by Freemuse, Win Maw is now shortlisted for the Freedom to Create Prize …

  The popular satirist Zarganar is among dozens of political prisoners who have been released on 12 October 2011 as part of a wider amnesty. There is still no news about the musician Win Maw, who is sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment. Around 70 political prisoners are known to have …

Zayar Thaw, a famous hip hop singer who was released from prison under an amnesty in May after serving three and a half years of a five-year sentence for his political activities, was barred by Mingla Taung Nyunt township authorities from singing at a live concert in Rangoon, reported The …

  In order to weed out vulgar jokes about government officials and ministries, all Burmese traditional dance troupes who wish to make a video of a performance are required to perform a full-dress rehearsal in front of censorship board officials three days prior to a performance. This was reported by …