An international media rights watchdog says Burma's military government is moving to block effective media coverage of the country's upcoming constitutional convention.
The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders released a statement Thursday saying Burma has refused to grant visas to journalists, subjected them to intimidation, and has arranged for advanced censorship of the event.
The organization says dozens of foreign reporters, including those from the British Broadcasting Corporation, the French Press Agency, and the Voice of America have not received a reply to their requests for visas so they can cover the convention.
The group also said Burma has banned privately-owned publications in Rangoon from freely reporting on the preparations for the event, which is set to take place Monday.
Information for this report is provided by RSF Press Release.