Democratic Voice of Burma
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAn independent Burmese-language media organization established by expatriate Burmese journalists to provide uncensored news and public-interest information about Myanmar.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) is an independent Burmese-language media organization founded by Burmese expatriates and based initially in Oslo, Norway, with operations also associated with Chiang Mai, Thailand. It began broadcasting in July 1992, during a period when Myanmar was governed by a military regime and domestic media operated under severe restrictions. From studios in Oslo, DVB used shortwave radio transmission to deliver news and information into Myanmar, offering audiences reporting that was unavailable or censored within the country. DVB's stated mission has centered on accurate and impartial news, the promotion of understanding among Myanmar's religious and ethnic communities, the encouragement of independent public opinion and public debate, and the communication of democratic and human-rights principles. Its work has therefore combined journalism with a broader public-service role for audiences living under authoritarian rule. Funding and institutional support for parts of its international broadcasting expansion came from non-governmental and democracy-support organizations, including Free Voice of the Netherlands, the National Endowment for Democracy, and the Freedom of Expression Foundation. The organization expanded beyond radio in the 2000s. In May 2005, it launched satellite television programming into Myanmar, describing the service as the first free and independent Burmese-language television channel. Its broadcasting reach was intended to extend to millions of Burmese viewers. DVB's reporting also became an important source for international media and documentary producers. Footage connected to the 2007 Saffron Revolution was central to the documentary Burma VJ, while DVB filmmakers contributed substantially to coverage of Cyclone Nargis in the PBS documentary Eyes of the Storm. An investigation into Myanmar's military nuclear ambitions was broadcast by Al Jazeera in 2011. From 2012, DVB progressively re-established multimedia operations inside Myanmar and opened a branch office, bringing some of its former underground video journalists into more open activity. This transition enabled the organization to operate as a domestic television and digital-news outlet as well as an international broadcaster. On 24 March 2018, DVB began broadcasting through digital terrestrial television using the MRTV DVB-T2 multiplex system. It consequently developed into one of Myanmar's largest and most respected independent television and multimedia news organizations. The February 2021 military coup fundamentally altered its operating environment. On 8 March 2021, the military authorities banned DVB along with several other independent news organizations, including Myanmar Now, Mizzima News, Khit Thit Media, and 7Day News. DVB subsequently moved back underground and continued reporting despite the risk of arrest, detention, violence, and forced displacement. Several DVB staff members were detained or arrested after the coup, and three DVB journalists were arrested by Thai police during the first half of 2021 over alleged illegal entry. These events highlighted the cross-border and clandestine conditions under which the organization has continued its work. Today, DVB remains associated with independent reporting on Myanmar, including political developments, conflict, human-rights conditions, and events affecting civilians. Its operating model combines Burmese-language digital journalism, video, television-related distribution, livestreaming, and reporting from locations inside and outside Myanmar. Because of the military ban and security risks, the precise structure and location of its current operations are not fully public.
History
DVB emerged in 1992 as an expatriate Burmese media initiative operating from Norway. Its creation reflected the severe limitations placed on independent journalism inside Myanmar under military rule. From studios in Oslo, the organization produced Burmese-language programs and transmitted them into the country using shortwave radio from the Kvitsøy Tower transmitter. This cross-border arrangement allowed listeners to receive information outside the state-controlled domestic media system. The organization gradually developed from a radio broadcaster into a multimedia news operation. On 28 May 2005, DVB added satellite television programming aimed at Myanmar. The service was supported in part by external civil-society and democracy-promotion organizations and sought to reach a broad national audience with free and independent Burmese-language television. DVB's reporting also acquired international significance through its use by global broadcasters and documentary filmmakers. Its footage from the 2007 Saffron Revolution was featured in Burma VJ, and its work documenting Cyclone Nargis contributed heavily to the PBS documentary Eyes of the Storm. An investigation concerning the Myanmar military's nuclear ambitions was broadcast by Al Jazeera in 2011. A major organizational transition began in 2012, when DVB started operating multimedia activities openly inside Myanmar. It established a branch office and incorporated journalists who had formerly worked clandestinely as underground video journalists. This move expanded DVB's ability to report from within the country and helped establish it as one of Myanmar's leading independent television and news organizations. On 24 March 2018, it added digital terrestrial distribution through the MRTV DVB-T2 multiplex system, supplementing its satellite, online, and other broadcast channels. The military coup of February 2021 ended the period of more open domestic operation. As the military authorities intensified their campaign against independent media, DVB was banned on 8 March 2021 together with several other prominent news outlets. Journalists and media workers faced arrest, torture, abduction, and other forms of intimidation. At least several DVB staff members were detained or arrested, and three journalists were arrested in Thailand during the first half of 2021 on alleged illegal-entry charges. Following the ban, DVB moved back underground and continued to serve audiences through cross-border and digital methods. DVB's historical identity is consequently defined by adaptability: it has operated as a shortwave broadcaster, satellite television provider, domestic multimedia organization, digital-terrestrial television channel, and underground news service. Throughout these phases, its stated purpose has remained the delivery of uncensored Burmese-language information and the support of democratic discussion and human rights. The organization continues to be associated with independent reporting about Myanmar, although security conditions make its current operational structure difficult to document publicly.
- 2021
Military authorities ban DVB
[1]Following the military coup, DVB is banned and subsequently shifts back toward underground and cross-border operations.
- 2018
Digital terrestrial broadcasting begins
[1]DVB begins broadcasting through Myanmar's MRTV DVB-T2 digital-terrestrial multiplex.
- 2012
Multimedia operations return inside Myanmar
[1]The organization begins operating multimedia activities openly inside Myanmar and establishes a branch office.
- 2011
Investigative work reaches international television
[1]DVB reporting on Myanmar's military nuclear ambitions is broadcast by Al Jazeera.
- 2005
Satellite television launches
[1]DVB expands from radio into satellite television programming aimed at audiences in Myanmar.
- 1992
Radio broadcasting begins
[1]DVB starts Burmese-language radio broadcasts from Oslo, transmitting into Myanmar by shortwave through the Kvitsøy Tower in Norway.
Products and positioning
Independent, Burmese-language public-interest journalism focused on uncensored news, democratic values, human rights, and reporting from or about Myanmar under military rule.
Radio news · 1992
Burmese-language radio
DVB's original service consisted of Burmese-language news and information produced in Oslo and transmitted into Myanmar by shortwave radio. It was designed to reach listeners who lacked access to uncensored domestic reporting and became the foundation of the organization's cross-border media model.
Television news · 2005
Satellite television
Launched in 2005, DVB's satellite television service extended its independent Burmese-language programming to television audiences across Myanmar. It broadened the organization's reach beyond radio and provided a platform for news, current-affairs reporting, and video journalism.
Television distribution · 2018
Digital terrestrial television
From March 2018, DVB was available through digital terrestrial broadcasting on the MRTV DVB-T2 multiplex system. This distribution channel supported the organization's development into a major independent television broadcaster inside Myanmar before the 2021 military ban.
Digital journalism
DVB digital news and video
DVB publishes Burmese-language news, video reports, investigative work, and livestreaming content through digital channels. Its digital operation has been particularly important after the 2021 ban, when conventional domestic broadcasting became dangerous or unavailable.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2021
Shift back to underground operationsStrategyBackground
The military authorities banned DVB after the 2021 coup and intensified arrests and attacks against independent media.
Action taken
DVB moved back underground and continued relying on cross-border and digital reporting methods.
Aftermath
The change enabled the organization to continue serving audiences despite the loss of legal domestic broadcasting status and serious risks to its staff.
2012
Return to open multimedia operations in MyanmarStrategyBackground
Political conditions allowed DVB to move part of its activity from an expatriate and underground model toward more direct domestic reporting.
Action taken
DVB established a branch office and began operating multimedia activities inside Myanmar, including work by former underground video journalists.
Aftermath
The organization developed into one of Myanmar's leading independent television and multimedia news providers.
2005
Expansion from radio into satellite televisionProduct launchBackground
DVB sought to expand the reach of independent Burmese-language reporting beyond shortwave radio.
Action taken
It launched satellite television programming into Myanmar.
Aftermath
The organization became a broader broadcast media outlet and increased its potential reach among television audiences.
Sources2 sources
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