August 13, 2017
Interviewer :
Kyaw Htaik Soe Photo: Ko Min
The outcomes
from the interview with the international professionals and experts who
attended and spoke at the Forum on Democratic Transition of Myanmar held from
11-13 August at the Myanmar International Convention Centers at Nay Pyi Taw
were described below.
Interviewee —
Ms. Isabella Kurkowski, Country Representative Myanmar, DW Akademie
From my point of
view this forum is a momentous step in democratic transition of Myanmar. The
economic transition unprecedented in the previous governments was discussed
with great enthusiasm. In the previous forums and seminars only peace and
economic transition were discussed. As a Myanmar representative of DW Akademie
I felt greatly honoured to have a chance to participate in such an event in
which the responsible personnel from Ministry of Information, members of
Hluttaw, skilled professionals in respective subject and youths are taking
part. To have an opportunity to discuss with the professionals local and
abroad, of great expertise in the respective field of study is the essence of
this forum. Myanmar can have the chance to learn the experience of India, Sri
lanka and East European countries. According to the opening speech of State Counsellor,
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in which she clearly warned to not do the same mistake of
the past.
The media also takes the important role in the transition. It is very important
to inform of what the government is doing and the State can have the confidence
of the people through the media. The government should utilize the
media-pluralism in building a new democratic country. The media must have the
right to secure the news of Hluttaw and government. Myanmar should bring forth
the well-qualified reporter. It is found that Myanmar with the population of 54
millions has only two independent institutions, Myanmar Journalism Institute
and National Management College where full time course on Journalism can be
provided. This is the big setback of the democratic country. Another problem is
libel that can send the media men to jail at any time. The reporter has to try
to get news from other sources as it is sometimes difficult for reporters to
get the news from authentic source. It is very dangerous for reporters , so
section 66 (D) should be mended. And the role of intermediary arbiter should be
raised.
Interviewee —
Prof. Dr Aurel Croissant, professor of political science, Institute of
Political Science, Heidelberg University, Germany
In this forum, I
appreciate the discussion, especially made by Myanmar participants. It is found
that thorough discussion on military-civilian relationship, peace and economic
development are made. In this three day sessions the participants are
discussing openly. Myanmar military has still retained an important role in the
institutions. Though the civilian government elected by the people took power,
it seems they are trying to construct a better relationship with the military.
The relationship between civilian and military becomes improved. The civilian
and political party has to be patient. The media role is also important and to
express the hate speech freely is not the work of media. Media should express
the news with responsibility and accountability. There should be the
coordination between media and other organizations. It needs to do a lot of
works for the freedom of press. If they are given more pressure they will call
for more freedom of press. They will give more pressure on the government.
Media is not the enemy of government, so also not the enemy of the military.
Media is the institution that can point out the mistakes of government.
Interviewee —
Mr. Kavi Chongkittavorn, Executive Director and Chief Editor, Myanmar Times
The three day
forum is very productive as the participants can speak freely their view on
advantages and disadvantages and opportunities of the democratic transition on
Myanmar. Media has taken more important role in the time of the incumbent
government. The speech of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi reflects the real situation of
Myanmar. If the news are reported with bias without taking the real ground
situation into consideration, the outside world will not have the chance to
know the real situation of Myanmar. I discussed with citing examples of
Singapore. Singapore has been the best country in reporting the real situation
of the country. Media takes the important role in building a country. Media is
responsible for not only to point out the mistakes of the government but also
to give the true information. Media has the right to secure the news on
whatever the government is doing. Media cannot help the government if they
don’t get the required information. Currently Daw Aung Suu Kyi is the only
person who can make the world known Myanmar through media. The Global New Light
of Myanmar can also do it. It is important to get equal right to the access of
news.
Interviewee —
Dr. Soeren Keli, Cantebury Christ Church University, UK
The success
gained in the transition and stamping out the civil war, the economic
development, civil and cultural change were mainly discussed in this forum.
Media freedom is seen much improved compared to 2009. The economy also has
developed 7% starting from the previous years. The firm outcome resulted from
the discussion among the 8 armed ethnic organisations of NCA-signatory group is
also very supportive to peace development process. Since the military had
initiated the transformation to democratic state, the democratic forces were
responsible to move the process forward. In media sector the freedom of press
in Myanmar is not in the satisfactory state and the media men are still in the
haunted stage. Whatever it may be, this three-day forum is much beneficial to
the people of Myanmar.
Ref; The Global
New Light of Myanmar
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