6th Media Development Conference held

 December 7, 2017

The 6th Media Development Conference on Myanmar media development strategy and future works was held yesterday morning at the Chatrium Hotel.

At the conference, Information and Public Relations Department Deputy Director-General Dr. Daw Thida Tin, a part of the Ministry of Information, delivered opening remarks. The theme of the 6th Media Development Conference is “Myanmar’s Media Development: Strategies & a Way Forward.”

Next, UNESCO Head of Office Ms. Min Jeong Kim, Myanmar Press Council secretary U Thiha Saw and National Management Degree College Associate Professor delivered speeches.

U Ko Ko (Ko Ko-University of Technology) Patron of the Myanmar Journalists Association (MJA), moderated a roundtable discussion titled “Media plurality and sustainability” with Taninthayi Journal and Dawei Watch founder Daw Aye Aye Zin, The Voice chief editor U Kyaw Min Swe and Myanmar Internews Executive Director Michael Pan participating in the discussion.

Myanmar Journalism Institute (MJI) Training Director U Sein Win then moderated a discussion titled “Upholding professionalism through practicing journalistic ethics” with Myitmakha Media CEO Daw May Thingyan Hein, Mawgun Magazine Chief Editor U Zayar Hlaing and Mr. Bambang Harymurti of Indonesia Press Council joining in the discussion.

Panellists Pyi Gyi Khin Executive Director Daw Nwe Zin Win, Irrawaddy reporter Lawi Weng and Center for Law and Democracy Executive Director Mr. Toby Mendel discussed the title “Access to information and information outreach” moderated by Mizzima Media Group Director Daw Thin Thin Aung.

Discussion titled “Safety of Journalists and the issue of impunity on crimes against journalists” was discussed by panelists DVB TV News Broadcast Journalist U Aung Ko Ko @ Ko Aung, Myanmar Human Right Commission Commissioner U Yu Lwin, International Media Support (IMS) Regional Advisor Asia Dr. Ranga Kalansooriya and moderated by Myanmar Press Council Member U Myint Kyaw.

In the afternoon session a panel discussion titled “Media legislation and freedom of expression online and offline” was moderated by Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) Bureau Chief U Toe Zaw Latt and discussed by panelists Freedom Expression Myanmar Programme Manager Daw Yin Yadanar Thein, Myanmar Media Lawyers’ Network (MLN) Secretary U Than Zaw Aung, DW Akademie Project Manager Mr. Thomas Baerthlein and Internews Media Advisor U Myo Tha Htet.

Myanmar Peace Council Coordinator U Kyaw Lynn Oo moderated a panel discussion “The role of Ethnic media in peace-building” which was discussed by panelists Managar Journal Chief Editor U Mai Naing Naing Oo, Karen Information Centre Chief Editor Daw Nan Phaw Gay, Root Investigative Agency (RIA) Founder Ko Nay Min Aung and Thanlwin Times U Ko Ko Zaw.

The final panel of the day titled “Countering misinformation in the digital age” was moderated by Yangon Region Hluttaw representative U Nay Phone Latt and discussed by panelists MIDO Executive Director Daw Htike Htike Aung, Kamayut Media Editor U Han Thar Nyein, Article 19 Senior Legal Officer Mr. Pierre Francois Docquir and Bosnia-Herzegovina Press Council Executive Director Ms. Ljiljana Zurovac.

Conference attendees raised questions to the panelists after the discussions.

Media Development Conference was jointly organized by Ministry of Information, UNESCO and media development supporting groups since 2012. This is the sixth time it is held and will be continued until 8 December.

Myanmar News Agency

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar