Myanmar magazine licence pulled for sexual content

YANGON (AP) - Myanmar's new reformist government has revoked the publishing licence of a magazine for the first time, saying it violated regulations by publishing sexual material when it was supposed to cover fashion.

The information ministry announced the action on Wednesday, saying the monthly magazine "Hnyo" deviated from its charter as a fashion magazine by publishing sexually arousing photos and articles.

The December issue of the magazine carried several pictures of scantily-clad Myanmar women in provocative poses and articles that the editor said constituted sex education.

Myanmar abolished direct censorship of the media last year and announced last month that it will allow the first private daily newspapers in decades starting in April, in the latest steps toward allowing more freedom of expression in the long-repressed nation.