Nobel Women's Initiative

MEDIA ADVISORY                                       
-- For immediate release --

September 15, 2010 (New York)

The ways that global and social media are fueling the democracy movement of Burma is the focus of a compelling event on September 16. A remarkable panel of Nobel Peace Laureates, Burmese journalists and documentary filmmakers will discuss how media is transforming Burma’s democracy movement, both within Burma and worldwide.

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Elections scheduled for this fall are expected to reinstate the current repressive military regime.

The Burmese regime's violent abuse of its own people- ranging from the imprisonment and torture of political dissenters to the systematic sexual violence and rape of women- puts it in the ranks of some of the world's worst human rights abusers. But, as the list of human rights abuses grows, so do the calls from within Burma for peace, justice and democracy.

Human rights violations and stories of survivors are documented in real time by bloggers, documentary filmmakers and through the use of Twitter, Facebook and mobile devices.  The world, it seems, may be finally opening its eyes to what is happening in Burma.

You Are Invited:

Burma and the Media: Amplifying Voices for Democracy
September 16, 2010
Film Debut and Panel Discussion 7:00 - 8:30 pm
The Paley Centre for Media, 25 W 52 Street, New York


Panelists
Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate (1997)
Annie Sundberg, Producer & Director, Burma Soldier
Lway Aye Nang, Women's League of Burma
Khin May Zaw - Radio Free Asia

Moderator Pat Mitchell, President & CEO, the Paley Center

And Nobel Peace Laureates Shirin Ebadi (2003), and Mairead Maguire (1976) introducing the film, This is My Witness, about two women of Burma who are speaking out against the abuse they suffered at the hands of the military regime.


For more information:

Rachel Vincent, 613.276.9030
Kimberley MacKenzie, kmackenzie@nobelwomensinitiative.org
www.paleycenter.org  or  www.nobelwomensinitiative.org