Opinion makers

Myanmar is a conservative society, with the majority of the population following Theravada Buddhism. This means monks retain a high level of influence within society. Sermons are broadcast on state television each day. The country is also home to significant Muslim, Christian and Hindu populations.

There are a handful of actors who dominate the big screen, and they are often deployed in television advertising. They also enjoy large followings on social media. Pop stars and models also enjoy a high degree of influence, as do former political prisoners and high-profile activists. Blogging as a format is not enormously popular. As mentioned above, social media has offered a new platform for politicians looking to get their message across. Government bodies and political figures will regularly issue releases through Facebook, as do ethnic armed groups.