Myanmar Journalists Association (MJA) representatives have told
Information Minister Kyaw Hsan that they will not take part in the new
20-member Myanmar Core Press Council (MCPC) until changes are made to
its powers and obligations.
The MCPC was formed to regulate the press until the new Media Law is
passed later this year, but five MJA members on the council told a
meeting on Sunday that they will not take any part until amendments are
made to its authority.
“MJA representatives will not take part in the interim press council
unless the unacceptable points in the MCPC obligations are amended,”
said an earlier statement issued on Friday. After the new Media Law is
passed a permanent press council is due to be formed to oversee
journalistic ethics.
Thiha Saw, a MCPC member and vice-chairman of the MJA, said, “We
asked to amend eight points in the MCPC’s obligations and authorities as
it now looks like it will be replacing the tasks of the censorship
board.”
“We cannot perform the censorship board’s job,” he added. “It is also
against international standards. The council is to protect journalists
and the freedom of the press.”
The MJA said that the current regulations contradict discussions with
officials from the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division (PSRD) from
a couple of months ago.
Journalists asked to delete four points—to supervise the work of the
press which is deemed detrimental to the public interests, dignity of
the state and national sovereignty; to scrutinize imported publications
so they conform with the national interest; exercising authority in
accordance with the Evidence Act, Penal Code, Code of Civil Procedure
and Tort; and MCPC members enjoying immunity from prosecution.
They also asked for other points to be reworded—that journalists must
approve the draft Media Law instead of the legislation being solely
compiled by the Ministry of Information; and combining sections 3 (c)
and (i) to “settle disputes” regarding journalism ethics instead of
“summoning, educating and taking action” over breaches.
Kyaw Hsan said that the MCPC’s activities will be postponed until the
dispute with the MJA is settled, said Maung Wuntha, a MCPC member and
chairman of the MJA.
“When the demanded points are changed and announced, we will join
MCPC meetings,” Maung Wuntha told The Irrawaddy. However, Kyaw Hsan did
not say whether their objections would be granted or turned down and
there was no further discussion at the meeting about abolishing
censorship in line with previously stated policy, added Maung Wuntha.
In the meantime, the PSRD informed journals on Sunday that they must continue to submit stories to the censor board as usual.
The MJA was formally established on Saturday during a nationwide
journalists’ conference, a day after the formation of the MCPC was
announced by the government. Five leading MJA members—Patron Khin Maung
Lay, Chairman Maung Wuntha, Vice-Chairman-1 Ko Ko, Vice-Chairman-2 Thiha
Saw and Foreign Relations chief Aung Hla Htun—were also named as
representing one quarter of the MCPC.
The MJA also asked Kyaw Hsan to inform members in advance before any
further announcements regarding the MCPC. Apart from the MJA contingent,
there are 15 other MCPC members including lawyers, judges, academics
and publishers appointed by the government.
Kyaw Hsan is known to be a hardliner in President Thein Sein’s
administration and there are persistent rumors that he will be relieved
of his cabinet post in a reshuffle to take place in the next few days.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/11471
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