Myanmar
- 1937 The first broadcasts in Burma were by the British, who started transmitting programs on a Marconi transmitter which had been used for wireless communication between India and Burma (Taw Daw Shin 1971). The broadcasts could be heard only as far as the Rangoon suburbs.
- 1939 British set up 10-kw. transmitter near Rangoon, at Mingaladon, for propaganda broadcasting in English, Burmese, and Hindustani.
- 1942-45 The Japanese carried out both medium-wave (10-kw.) and short-wave (5-kw.) broadcasting in Burmese, Japanese, English, Hindustani, Bengali, and Chinese.
- 15 February 1946 BBS, known then as the "Voice of Burma" (or Myarma A-Than), was born when the facilities were turned over to the pre-Independence Burmese Civil Government
- August 1948 Burma gains its independence from Britain.
The first broadcasts in Burma were by the British, who in 1937 started transmitting programs on a Marconi transmitter which had been used for wireless communication between India and Burma (Taw Daw Shin 1971). The broadcasts could be heard only as far as the Rangoon suburbs.
In 1939, the British set up 10-kw. transmitter near Rangoon, at Mingaladon, for propaganda broadcasting in English, Burmese, and Hindustani. During the Japanese occupation (1942-45), the Japanese carried out both medium-wave (10-kw.) and short-wave (5-kw.) broadcasting in Burmese, Japanese, English, Hindustani, Bengali, and Chinese.
In the later stages of the war, especially in early 1945, the Burmese resistance movement set up secret "Burmese Revolutionary Army Broadcasting Station" and carried programs in Burmese, English, and Hindustani, especially news and music for the resistance forces. Later in 1945, with the arrival of the Psychological Warfare Team of the returning British Civil Administration for Burma, the British took over the broadcasting operations once more.
These were on two 7.5-kw. and one 5-kw. Marconi transmitters for short-wave and medium-wave broadcasts, respectively, and as before, there were daily transmissions in Burmese, English, and Hindustani. BBS, known then as the "Voice of Burma" (or Myarma A-Than), was born 15 February 1946, when the facilities were turned over to the pre-Independence Burmese Civil Government (Provisional).
Although Burmese broadcasting in the late 1940s was not unlike that of other countries in the region, most others greatly expanded their radio facilities programming efforts and started television stations during the 1950s and 1960s. Meanwhile, Burma remained content with its single Rangoon radio station, its modest level of programming, and its complete isolation from the growing influence of television. This relative non-development has been due not so much to a a lack of technical resources or trained personnel, as to a conscious policy by the Burmese government (GUB) particularly takeover of power by Ne Win's Revolutionary Council in March 1962 apply the bulk of its resources for information activities to other programming, especially the print media.
BBC Audience Reports
An interesting snapshot of how the relayed broadcasts from either Daventry or Singapore is documented in the various Audience panels that the BBC Far Eastern Service would convene. One particularly scathing assessment is from RANGOON dated 1st of July 1 1954 ( BBC Written Archives).
Reactions to London Calling Asia from Rangoon locals.
“I am continually amazed at the miscomprehension of the oriental mind displayed by the BBC” such fatuous programs – all simple minded!"
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8 items
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Speech by Louis Mountbatten to British forces in Southeast Asia during WWII. He acknowledges the challenges ahead but assures them of increasing support from home. More »Spoken voice |Topic: Military Conflict |Audio
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Richard Chubb records a message in Fort Dufferin while awaiting a ceremonial flag-raising. The 19th division has completed a remarkable march, standing on an earth parade ground in faded jungle green attire. Spitfires fly overhead, and soldiers, wearing bush hats, tin helmets, berets, and turbans, stand at attention. The commander arrives, signaling with a bugle. The message is addressed to every man in the 14th army, celebrating the capture of Mandalay and the restoration of the Union Jack over Fort Dufferin. The 33rd Indian corps and 4th corps played a significant role, and Kipling's poem on the road to Mandalay is mentioned, expressing a focus on the journey from Mandalay. More »Spoken voice |Topic: Military Conflict |Audio
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Recording contains information about a Buffalo horn folk songs and music recording on a 30 cm disc with 33 rpm. The recording is labeled as BBC ARCHIVE 27027 and starts at 00:08:45.22, ending at 00:09:34.01. Side 2 of the disc begins at 00:10:37. The recording likely contains traditional folk songs and music played on Buffalo horns, captured from BBC ARCHIVE LP 27027. More »Music |Topic: Culture |Audio
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In the memoir "Building the Burma-Siam RailwayTalk," a former prisoner recounts the brutal conditions endured while constructing the railway for the Japanese. The prisoners faced harsh working conditions, including being pelted with iron rivets by a Japanese engineer and working in non-stop downpours during the monsoon season. Cholera outbreaks, lack of proper clothing, and extreme exhaustion from long work shifts further compounded their suffering. Despite the high death rates and disease ravaging the crowded camps, the Japanese enforced a speedup of work, neglecting to address the epidemic. The prisoners endured meager rations and slept in leaky, overcrowded huts. More »Spoken voice : narrative |Topic: Military Conflcit |Audio
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Record contains a recording of Burmese folk music, specifically the Tonka Dance, as well as a collection of folk songs and music with no linguistic content. The recording is stored on a single disc with two sides, measuring 30 cm and playing at 33 rpm. The item is cataloged under the BBC ARCHIVE 27026 2LP0068699 and 1LP0199913, with unidentified performers. More »Music |Topic: Culture |Audio
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In a program produced by John Nicoll and chaired by Stewart Wavell, four missionaries from various regions, including the Arctic, Sarawak, North Burma, and Zululand, discuss the challenges and extraordinary occurrences they face in their way of life. The speakers include Joan Turner, Gwynedd Nichol, Rev. David Darlington, and Rev. Norman Gilmore. The program aired on June 25, 1965, and is categorized under the title TLO 515/638. More »Spoken voice |Topic: Culture |Audio
