From April 2013, Myanmar will allow private daily newspapers – for the first time since 1964.

In a Friday announcement, Myanmar’s Information Ministry has invited any citizen wishing to publish a newspaper to make an application in February, a move that many hope will mean freedom of expression becomes more possible.

Up until now, only state-owned weeklies have provided news sources but they are widely regarded as state mouthpieces.

The announcement, on Friday, was part of an expected set of policies on new press freedoms President Thein Sein has been introducing as part of a move towards democratic reform in the country.

Since taking office last year, when the country emerged from half a century of military rule, the policies have had their troubles but now appear to be on track.