Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N.)

The Burma News International, a network of ten Burmese news organizations in exile, has gained one more ethnic media member, Karen Information Center (KIC), during its 4 day 13th bi-annual meeting, 29 June-2 July, at an undisclosed place in Chiangmai, Thailand.

The BNI, established in January 2003 in India, formerly included Independent Mon News Agency (IMNA), Kachin News Group (KNG) , Network Media Group (NMG) , Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN), Kantarawaddy (KT) and Kao Wao News Times that are based on the Thai border; Kaladan Press and Narinjara News that are based on the Bangladeshi border; and Mizzima and Khonumthung News, based in India.

There are two criteria for becoming a BNI member organization:
•    To be an independent media organization
•    To produce its own news and reports

The KIC was established in 1997 by the Karen National Union (KNU)’s current vice chairman Saw David Tharckabaw on the border near Mae Sot, Thailand, said Nan Paw Gay, Editor of the KIC.

However, the founder of the KIC left the group after 4 years. Since then the KIC has become a private and non-profit organization. It has been reporting about events taking place in Karen State in Burmese and Karen language through their monthly magazine, she said.

“The KIC is not involved in any political or resistance group even though its founder was KNU’s leader,” she added.

The BNI’s long term goal is to become a multi-media and subscription-based news network for the regional and international media and another is to unite with independent journalist organizations in the region into a force for advocacy and mutual protection.

It publishes on a daily basis news taking place across Burma, South Asia and South East Asia.