November 8, 2016
Myanmar kicked off the 5th
conference on Myanmar media development in Yangon under the title of “Inclusive
Independent Media In A New Democracy,” calling for responsibility and
accountability in the media sector and pledges for cooperating with local and
international media for the country’s media development.
The remarks were made by Union
Minister for Information U Pe Myint at the opening of the two-day conference
held with the theme “Inclusive Independent Media In A New Democracy”.
“It is needed for journalists to abide by the media ethics as well, without claiming only one voice, ‘freedom of expression,’” said the Union Minister in his opening speech.
“It is needed for journalists to abide by the media ethics as well, without claiming only one voice, ‘freedom of expression,’” said the Union Minister in his opening speech.
The conference will focus on media
laws, safety of journalists, gender issues, right to information,
sustainability of the independent media, enhancing the voices from social media
and community media through discussions.
Media conferences have been held in
Myanmar for 5 consecutive years, aimed at developing the realm of media in
Myanmar.
The conference is aimed at holding
frank discussions among members of the media with a view to developing the
media sector and to overcoming challenges in the media world.
“Compared to situations in the past 5 years, the media is more accessible than ever. Yet, there are still some restrictions in collecting news and information by journalists. Some difficulties found in accessing news were discussed among fellow members of the media,” said Dr Pe Myint.
“Compared to situations in the past 5 years, the media is more accessible than ever. Yet, there are still some restrictions in collecting news and information by journalists. Some difficulties found in accessing news were discussed among fellow members of the media,” said Dr Pe Myint.
“Arrangements for the fourth estate to have
access to its related panels are under way. Spokespersons in the administrative
sector have been chosen to conduct training courses on relations with media,”
he added.
Media law and laws on printing and
publishing have been enacted in the country.
Abolition of the 1962 law on printing and publishing that required Press Scrutiny Boards is a sign of progress. Likewise, laws on television and broadcasting were promulgated in August, 2015. Some amendments are being made, to be submitted to Hluttaw after completion.
Abolition of the 1962 law on printing and publishing that required Press Scrutiny Boards is a sign of progress. Likewise, laws on television and broadcasting were promulgated in August, 2015. Some amendments are being made, to be submitted to Hluttaw after completion.
The drafting of the Right to
Information Law is under way. It is designed for the benefit of the whole
populace. By-elections are to be held in April, 2017.
The Ministry of Information will
make arrangements for journalists to smoothly collect news and information
during by-elections by reassessing the difficulties encountered in previous
general elections in cooperation with not only media in Yangon, Mandalay and
big cities but also ethnic media, according to the Union Minister.
“The media needs to pay special attention
to writing news sensitive to races and religion, to choose news from confirmed
sources, to follow media ethics and to report on reasonable findings”, the
Union Minister said. “Unreasonable reports may lead to misunderstanding. Some
news has been found to have included opinions, conclusions and comments”.
Afterwards, speeches were heard
from the head of UNESCO (Myanmar) Ms. Min Jeong Kim and the Swedish ambassador
to Myanmar H.E. Mr. Staffan Herrström, followed by the presentation of an audio
file sent by U Khin Maung Lay (Pho Thaukkyar).
After the address made by U Thiha
Saw, executive director of Myanmar Journalism Institute, Dr Daw Thida Tin, U
Myint Kyaw, U Khin Maung Win and Mr Oliver Spencer the head of Article 19,
Asian Region, discussed “Media Laws and reassessment of weakness in them.
The issues discussed were security
of newsmen, crimes and offences, affairs on genders and the effect of social
media. The 1st media conference’s title was The Way Forward, that of the 2nd
was The Role of Media in Democratic Transitions: Success, Challenges and the
Way Forward, the 3rd was Moving Towards a Sustainable Media Environment, the
4th New Dynamics in Myanmar Media and this year’s is Inclusive Independent
Media in a New Democracy, it is learnt.
Ref; The Global New Light of
Myanmar
No comments:
Post a Comment