Boosted by the covert media training, the transition from a society mired for the past 50 years in government-controlled information to one that embraces a free press has been a smooth, yet groundbreaking path, experts say.

The new freedoms may represent dashes instead of solid double lines, but more reforms must be made for Myanmar's press to be labeled truly open and its people completely free.

Emphasizing that Myanmar is still at the beginning of the transition, Dimaggio said there is room for improvements, especially in regard to the escalating violence between Buddhists and the Muslim Rohingyas.

"This a real destabilizing factor for the country that has really undermined some reforms," she said.

Since the government loosened control of its information flow, Internews has set up a permanent journalism school in Yangon, the former capital. There, reporters are being trained in conflict-zone journalism -- as the country continues to witness ethnic clashes -- as well as broadcast journalism to prepare for the impending telecom liberalization.

Hoffman, recently returned from Myanmar to assess the progress of the media, described it as "the most exciting thing" he's ever seen.

"You just can't believe it -- the reforms are across the board," he said. "They've opened the door to democracy, and I don't think they can close it again."