Joseph Anderson visited Asia for the first time in 2017. (Name changed for security reasons – Editor) I am fascinated by Myanmar. The British teenager was traveling in Thailand and heard that he should visit the neighboring country early. He was warned that Myanmar is developing rapidly after a long period of isolation under strict authoritarian rule and that mass tourism could be just around the corner. He followed the advice, flew to the country formerly known as Burma, and was instantly hooked.
Returning to London for university, Joseph decided to focus on Southeast Asian cultural studies, specializing in Myanmar. There he learned the language and began meeting the people of Myanmar. However, his return to Japan was delayed due to the coronavirus, and then Myanmar's military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's democratic government in February 2021, ending the country's 10-year experiment with democratic rule. , a brutal civil war broke out. It continues today. More than 4,400 people were killed for their perceived or known role in supporting the pro-democracy movement.
Joseph began raising awareness about Myanmar in the UK and moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand in August 2022 to work with the large Myanmar exile community there. He is currently 23 years old. elastic voiceis a podcast that gives Myanmar exiles, including journalists and human rights activists, a platform to tell important stories in new and innovative ways. Joseph works with Ne Za to coordinate training and provide technical support to podcasters.
Supported by DW Academy elastic voice And its latest season featured four exclusive podcast series focused on mental health. The program covered topics such as the trauma faced by journalists, how people in displaced persons camps are coping, and the mental health of children affected by conflict. The goal was to start an honest conversation about mental health, which is rarely discussed in Myanmar.
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DW Academy: Why are the people behind it? elastic voice Would you choose podcasting as that medium?
joseph anderson: Podcasting gives people the opportunity to be more creative in how they share and disseminate information. This is an emerging medium within Myanmar culture, both within Myanmar and in exile communities, and I believe this is largely due to its strong ties to Myanmar's rich radio cultural tradition. Podcasts are now a way for Gen Z to stay informed in the same way their parents and grandparents did with the radio. That's one of the reasons we chose podcasts.
It's going to be a nightmare in terms of production, printing, and distributing printed materials. And we always have to think about security. Producing a podcast is relatively easy, and while the people you work with will have different backgrounds and experience levels, it doesn't take much to train someone and help them get their content onto the platform. One of our big goals is development, allowing people to learn new skills like production and storytelling and use them to create their own podcasts or apply for jobs. That's it. After all, Resilient Voices is what it is today because of the podcasters who attend our workshops. There is collective ownership.
Regarding audio in Myanmar, I have heard that during the dictatorship, many people could not afford television and relied on radio for news and entertainment. To get uncensored information, people had to find a way to tune into the BBC Burma service or VOA. Or they would buy cassettes on the black market to listen to content not available elsewhere.
The country has a long tradition of smuggling audio material. We have developed Resilient Voices from the 1988 Generation (1988 student-led pro-democracy uprising – ed.) and his 1988 uprising, when many young people crossed the border into Thailand and began producing media. can be linked to activities carried out by They produced radio programs and smuggled the tapes into Myanmar. At that time, audio was a great way to adapt to current realities and get information nationally and internationally. The same is true today.
How popular is podcasting as a medium among people in Myanmar currently?
Myanmar people have been posting videos on Facebook and YouTube for some time, but podcasting as an audio format is still in its infancy. But we've seen so many podcasts emerge over the past three years that we're pretty excited. Young people in particular are turning to podcasts to share information. And we cover just about every topic you can think of, from culture and history to food and politics to human rights. We welcome them not only in Burmese and English, but also in the languages of Myanmar's various ethnic groups. That's really cool to see.
How was the development of podcasting affected by the coup and the conflict? Did it put an end to podcasting or was it a kind of catalyst?
I think it's twofold. This coup has led many individuals to turn to podcasts as a way to share their grievances and information that they believe will help people understand what is going on in the country. Myanmar is an information black hole. The military regime has successfully blocked the flow of information. But podcasts allow people to easily share the information they have with people like me on the outside who want to know what's going on. And it's also a way to provide information to exile communities around the world, such as Myanmar people living in the United States and Australia. Having said that, I also think the conflict is hindering development in that it is very difficult to distribute podcasts within Myanmar due to all internet being shut down and frequent power outages. . A VPN allows you to access the internet, but it's not something older generations can necessarily manage. Also, introducing her VPN on your phone is very risky.
Based on your own experience, do you think podcasting can play an important role in conflict situations?
absolutely. I was in London when the coup took place, so podcasts were my main source of information about what was happening in the country. Well, it's as important as ever that these podcasts continue. Podcasts are a way to not only keep people informed about what's going on, but also to appeal to a wider audience and try to take action. One of the reasons I started advocating for Myanmar to the Foreign Office in London was because I was listening to a podcast discussing what could be done to support the public's opposition to the dictatorship. And we've noticed that in podcasts, people are presenting stories that aren't necessarily discussed in the mainstream. For example, information about mental health. There is still significant prejudice against this issue in Myanmar, particularly due to the conflict. Podcasts provide an opportunity and platform to continue the conversation even in times like these.
Scriptwriting and storytelling workshops with Resilient Voices podcasters
Why is the topic of mental health so important in Myanmar right now?
The basic understanding of mental health in Myanmar is dire. For example, a friend of mine who is studying psychology and counseling says he still uses the 1949 curriculum. That information is very old. There are still many misunderstandings and prejudices, and there is not much progress in research. Although Myanmar is currently embroiled in conflict, we must remember that we have been in this situation before. This country is grappling with intergenerational trauma that is passed down from parent to child. To think about a future Myanmar with prosperity and functioning democracy, we need to address this trauma now, not wait. Mental health podcasts are a way to break down stigma and inform society about issues and treatments. It may be something as simple as talking to a friend or counselor about your problems, but these things that seem so basic in other societies are still very new to Myanmar.
Talking about mental health was also new for the producers. elastic voice. What was their experience like?
It was of great interest to many because their personal experiences were incorporated into the episodes. It gave them a chance to heal and understand themselves better. We have a psychological support person within the company who is available for consultation at any time. It was a healing journey for them as well.
As far as you know, is there any podcasting production taking place inside Myanmar? Or is it almost all done by people and media in exile?
Some people record and disseminate it domestically. However, these tend to be people from so-called “liberated areas” that are under the control of ethnic armed groups rather than the military. The country faces immense challenges. Hyperinflation has made many things unavailable. When it comes to internet access, you can also use a VPN, but this is illegal. If you are caught using a cell phone, you can be exposed to prison terms, beatings, and even torture. There are really stiff penalties for just trying to access information.
Now it's crystal ball time. What are your prospects for the podcasting sector in Myanmar?
Well, there will always be media-related podcasts. There are several other independent companies that are doing well. However, monetizing podcasts is extremely difficult in the current climate. Therefore, while the potential for growth is high, it depends on generating revenue. Resilient Voices is fortunate to work with individuals and organizations that provide financial support. But for individuals, even those with great production skills, the challenges associated with having an independent podcast channel are enormous.
That being said, there are a lot of interesting hidden stories out there. Now, of course, we are talking about human rights and democracy and ongoing conflicts. But Myanmar is much more than that. The country has long been cut off from society and shrouded in mystery to outsiders. There are still many stories to be told. Podcasts are a great way to do that.
Joseph recommends the English podcast for anyone interested in what's happening in Myanmar. You can listen to them all on Spotify.
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