how has research informed the design of a multi-media...

How has research informed the design of a multi-media project to support peacebuilding in Myanmar?RESEARCH BRIEFING // MAY 2019

2 RESEARCH BRIEFING // MAY 2019 // GOVERNANCE

BBC Media Action’s Khan Sar Kyi (Feel it!) multi-media project seeks to build public commitment to inclusive and sustainable peace in Myanmar

The peace process is the nation-led discussions aimed at relieving armed conflict in Myanmar. Although the process has been underway between the government, the military and ethnic armed groups, protracted armed conflict and complex political divisions continue to challenge the process of democratic reform in Myanmar.

Research conducted by BBC Media Acton in 2018 found that people often have limited understanding of the issues facing conflict-affected communities, exacerbated by Myanmar’s multiple languages, ethnicities, religions and cultures. The peace process is seen as complicated and people struggle to see the relevance of it to their day-to-day lives. The research revealed that many people were unsure why conflict is happening and how it affects the process of democratic reform.

Based on this initial research, it was important that media output engaged people and helped to make these topics feel relevant to them. To this end, BBC Media Action designed multi-media programming to both entertain and inform people. This content aimed to bring people together, to understand more about each other, and to support public discussion on possible solutions. This briefing outlines the project in more detail and shows how research informed its design.

Research approach

In 2018, BBC Media Action undertook formative research with communities and key stakeholders across Myanmar. Following a review of existing literature on peace and conflict, interviews were conducted with local influencers such as lawyers, business owners, activists, teachers and civil society organisations working on peace or conflict issues. BBC Media Action then conducted qualitative research with participants in five locations. This included interviews with more than 200 women and men from the majority Bamar ethnic group, as well as people from Kachin, Shan, Karen, Wa and Lisu ethnic groups. Research took place in five locations which included conflict-affected, post-conflict and non-conflict areas.

Researchers used small group discussions to understand the lives of research participants, their priorities and what issues they faced in their families and community. The groups then discussed participants’ perceptions of conflict and the peace process, and how conflict (or its absence) affected their daily lives. The research also sought to understand participants’ information needs and trusted sources. Researchers used exercises and projective mapping techniques to explore perceptions of sensitive topics in the groups, ensuring that participants who had been directly affected by conflict felt safe to share their experiences.

It’s important for me to know about peace and conflict because I think all citizens have a responsibility. People should pay attention to it and should help if they can.Urban Male

RESEARCH BRIEFING // MAY 2019 // GOVERNANCE 3

Documentary filming in Kayah state

Key findings from the research

There was general agreement that Myanmar is not a peaceful country. People pointed to longstanding ethnic conflicts, the lack of development in the country, political instability and increased crimes as evidence of the lack of peace. Some felt that the number of civil conflicts has increased in recent years and that there are now more ethnic armed groups in the country.

Across all research locations, most participants were aware of active conflicts in different parts of the country, pointing particularly to unrest in Kachin, Shan and Rakhine states. Most viewed long-running conflicts in ethnic states as being based on ethnicity and resources, often describing them as fights between brothers. The conflict in Rakhine state, on the other hand, was described as being based on religious differences.

Although audiences were aware that conflict was taking place in ethnic locations, most struggled to articulate why. More politically engaged groups, particularly among men, had a better understanding of the different factors which have led to fighting.

Participants were more engaged in issues related to conflict than those relating to peace and the peace process. Raising the topic of conflict in the groups prompted discussions of violence, fleeing and rights while the concept of peace felt abstract to participants and was rarely discussed in everyday life.

For research participants, the peace process itself was associated with political leaders and processes, and felt far removed from their lives. While people were aware that a nationwide peace process is happening, many struggled to follow discussions on it. For example, most research participants were unsure of the meaning of terms commonly used to talk about the process such as ‘federalism’ or ‘nationwide ceasefire agreement’.

Discussion group participants criticised existing media coverage on ethnic conflicts and the peace process in Myanmar. They felt that coverage on conflicts only stated that a ‘clash’ had taken place and listed the number of casualties, rather than talking about the causes or discussing anything in depth. On the

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peace process, people explained that too formal and technical language was used which resulted in a feeling of disengagement.

In recent years increased access to a wide range of media platforms, including smartphones, has boosted exposure to information about conflict and the peace process for some people in Myanmar. People with greater access to multiple media platforms, particularly in urban areas, were less likely to immediately trust the information they heard on the news about peace and conflict, often because they found inconsistencies between different sources. Indeed, a separate BBC Media Action study found that over half (54%) of social media users in Myanmar do not trust what they see or hear on online platforms.1

Men tended to access a greater range of media sources and were more engaged in issues around conflict and the peace process. They explained the expectation for men to be informed and discuss these issues with others. Women had less understanding of these issues and were more likely to feel that these topics were irrelevant to their lives.

A multi-format programme

With funding from the Joint Peace Fund, the Khan Sar Kyi project aims to amplify the voices of people affected by conflict and shed light on the everyday issues they face. It seeks to increase audience members’ understanding of the root causes and consequences of divisions and armed conflict in Myanmar. It gives people across linguistic, religious, cultural and ethnic divides the opportunity to share and understand and feel their differences and similarities.

TV documentaries In each 30-minute episode of the Khan Sar Kyi TV documentary series, a person in power in Myanmar (a minister, politician or community leader) spends time visiting an area of the country they do not know well. Viewers follow this traveller as he or she meets local people and has full and frank discussions with them about their lives and the daily struggles they face in issues such as healthcare, education, climate events, food production and finding stable employment. The traveller and community members discuss their experiences of conflict, and their views on peace, and ethnic and religious differences.

The documentary series is filmed in each of Myanmar’s 15 states and regions, alternating between Bamar and ethnic areas. It is broadcast in Burmese language fortnightly on national broadcaster MRTV, as well as private channels Mizzima and DVB, to reach a wide TV audience.

The documentaries aim to give audience members an insight into communities from different parts of the country, as well as a deeper understanding of the impact of conflict. Through this, the series seeks to promote increased understanding and empathy.

1 BBC Media Action nationally representative survey with adults aged 15+ in Myanmar conducted in December 2018 (n=3,000).

If there is no conflict then there would be peace, a good economy, good living, no moving home, reasonable prices.Rural Female


Documentary filming in Shan state

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Live discussions Khan Sar Kyi live TV discussions – broadcast after every second documentary episode – feature high-profile guests taking part in conversations and answering questions from audience members in different regions on issues covered in the documentaries. Panellists and audience members are pre-selected to ensure inclusiveness and balance. The discussion programme aims to showcase a wide range of experiences and viewpoints, and promote discussion of political and social solutions that could support a more peaceful co-existence between different groups in Myanmar.

Online content The Khan Sar Kyi Facebook page features selected content from the documentaries and live discussions. It also includes additional entertaining and informative content to help online audiences better understand the diversity in Myanmar and the viewpoints of others.


KEY INSIGHTS FROM PARTICIPANTS

People feel disengaged in peace and conflict

Existing media coverage of conflict lacks depth

In urban areas, there is a lack of trust in media information on these issues

Terminology used to explain the peace process is difficult to understand

Some ethnic groups struggle to understand Burmese media content

Women have lower levels of engagement in political issues than men

KEY ACTIONS AS A RESULT

The TV programmes focus on human experiences and struggles, rather than political complexities. They explore peace and conflict in terms of the issues people worry about most – livelihoods, security and health – to improve understanding of the implications of peace. They highlight shared struggles and experiences between communities to promote social cohesion.

The programmes provide a variety of perspectives to explore how conflict affects the lives of different people – as well as what peace could bring for them. They explore the obstacles that different people face in each location in depth, exploring how the conflict emerged and what has ensued in the area as a result.

The programmes present different perspectives in a balanced way, aiming to give voice to people with different, often opposing, viewpoints. They feature known power holders who interact directly with marginalised people who are affected by conflict to discuss the challenges to peace and also possible solutions.

Partnering with known and respected media partners and broadcasters helps strengthen audience members’ trust.

Direct and accessible language ensures the programmes’ content is inclusive and engaging. Producers encourage contributors to speak plainly and clearly.

Using local terms means that the content reflects local understanding of peace or conflict.

The documentary programmes use visual storytelling to help all viewers follow the narrative, even if they don’t speak Burmese. Certain episodes are subtitled. Non-Burmese speakers talk in their own language to convey Myanmar’s ethnic and linguistic diversity.

The programmes portray women as having an equally important role to play in discussing issues, resolving conflict and setting an agenda for peace. They feature women who are leaders in ethnic armed groups, civil society activists and political party leaders.The programmes and related live and online discussions explore how women in particular are affected by topics related to peace and conflict.

Research to inform project design


With a unified brand and links between the issues raised in the documentaries, discussions and digital content, Khan Sar Kyi aims to engage and entertain audiences that would normally tune out of politics, as well as the political actors who currently drive the formal peace process in Myanmar. In this way, it seeks to play an important part in supporting the fragile peace process progress towards an inclusive and sustainable outcome.

Discussion programme filming in Mandalay

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We are all the same people who live in the same country and we are brothers. So, we have to help each other to get on well.Urban Male


AcknowledgementsThis research briefing was prepared thanks to funding from the Joint Peace Fund. The content of this briefing is the responsibility of BBC Media Action. Any views expressed should not be taken to represent those of the BBC itself or of any donors supporting our work.

The authors would like to thank all the respondents who participated in this research. Particular thanks go to the BBC Media Action research team in Myanmar who carried out the fieldwork and data analysis: Muk Yin Haung Nyoi, Yin Min Htun, San San Htet and Van Sui Thawng. The authors are grateful to Rachael McGuin and the rest of the Myanmar team for their valuable feedback and review.

Authors: Katy Williams and Anna Colquhoun Editors: Sally Gowland and Sonia WhiteheadProof reader: Lorna FrayDesigner: Marten Sealby

Cover image: Discussion programme filming in Magway region

Registered charity number (England & Wales): 1076235Company number: 3521587Registered office: Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London W1A 1AA

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7481 9797Email: [email protected]: bbcmediaaction.org

©BBC Media Action 2019

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