Feb 27, 2009 (DVB), State-run Myawaddy TV is recruiting around 40 journalists in preparation for the publication of a newspaper called Myawaddy Daily, according to a weekly journal editor.

Myawaddy TV is run by the military's Information and Public Relations department. Veteran journalist Ludhu Sein Win said:

"We had to read the government papers before the journals emerged.

"When the journals emerged we read news not included in the government papers. If this newspaper emerges, we will be able to read articles not written in government papers."

By definition, newspapers are state-run, whereas journals are private-owned, although are still censored by the government.

"Although they are called journals, journals of this day and age are like weekly newspapers," said Ludhu Sein Win.

"There is no reason to be higher than that. If the paper is the government’s mouthpiece, I have nothing new to say."

It was not possible to contact Myawaddy TV for comments as to when the paper is going to be launched and what topics would be covered.

Reporting by Ahunt Phone Myat