Interview

INTERVIEW

'The Media Must Point Out Injustices'

By THE IRRAWADDY Tuesday, July 19, 2011

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Hot News Journal, a Rangoon-based weekly news publication, reported in its June 3 issue that patients at the Shwegondaing Specialist Clinic (SSC) had suffered from a lack of appropriate services. In response to its cover story, “The Service of Private Clinic SSC,” the clinic sued Hot News Journal for defamation and abasement and is seeking 2 billion kyat (US $2.5 million) in damages.

Irrawaddy reporter Nayee Lin Latt interviewed Hay Mar (aka) Ma Ma, the editor-in-chief of Hot News Journal, about the case.

Hay Mar was seen at a Hot News Journal press conference on July 8 (Photo: The Irrawaddy)

Hay Mar is the daughter of ex-Gen Khin Maung Than, the former head of one of the Burmese military's Bureaus of Special Operations, and wife of a former colonel.

Question: Please tell us what made you publish the article, “The Service of Private Clinic SSC,” in your journal.

Answer: Family members of a patient who died after receiving treatment at the SSC told me about their feelings towards the clinic's services while holding a funeral for their loved one. Since I am responsible for any news story published in my journal—whether it was written by myself, one of my in-house reporters or an outside contributor—I have to verify facts and figures in every story before putting them in publication. In this case, I did a thorough investigation and also used the 2007 Private Health Care Services Law as a reference. After studying it, I found that there were weaknesses in the SSC in providing appropriate services, which had affected patients seeking treatment there. So I revealed my findings, that's all. I wrote that story with care because I consider health care a very important issue for the people.

Doctors must give treatment and teachers must teach. Likewise, journalists must report about something that has a negative impact on the people, as long as it can be verified. As as media person, I accept that it is my job to tell the truth, and I did what I had to do by publishing that story. Personally, I don't have any desire to hurt anyone.

Q: How are you going to deal with the lawsuit in which you face two charges?

A: I would be lying if I said I wasn't afraid, because I am now a defendant and also a woman who has never experienced being in a lawsuit. Part of my anxiety comes from the fact that I am now facing a powerful complainant. However, I am sure I embraced the code of journalism and had no desire to defame anyone while writing that article, and I was sued for revealing an issue affecting general public, so I will face the lawsuit with courage. I will face it in court in accordance with the law.

Q: People say that under the present situation, the media enjoy a certain amount of freedom in reporting. Do you think your case will somehow affect that freedom?

A: Currently, our country is in transition to democracy and all of us want to see it to become a better place. I think now is the time, while changing the system, that both the authorities and citizens have to work for their country in a collective manner. While doing so, media must point out unfairness and injustice, and criticize them. It has to reveal them for public awareness and make the authorities know what is happening. This is the duty of the media.

When I published the article about the SSC, I didn't have any desire to hurt the clinic. I just put the feelings of the affected family on my journal page and pointed out weaknesses in the clinic's services, that's all. There has been some sort of openness and improvement in the media. On the other hand, we need stamina to accept open and independent criticism. I think we still forget about that.

Q: Do you think the media is currently allowed to report freely and criticize by using verified facts?

A: Well … even laws are changing while the country is marching toward a new system, so I believe we will be given the right to write freely. Media personnel are good at effective criticism.

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COMMENTS (7)

deiwar Wrote:

31/07/2011

Dear Ma Hay Mar,
Bravo! We are with you! There has long been a dire need for people like you who are brave enough to reveal injustices and face the consequences. You are eloquent, methodical and professional. As you said the truth will prevail as times have changed a bit though a lot is left to desire! Cheers!

Tom Tun Wrote:

22/07/2011

There are 3 subjects to discuss in 1 article, (1)Judicial system (2)Health Care system (3)Journalism and freedom of speech.
(1) For Judicial system of Burma, I cannot agree with defendant point. She said that country is changing to Democracy, so justice system is changing too. Justice system never shall change if the country hold true justice system. Justice and political system is 2 different subjects.
(2) Health care system of Burma ranked somewhere 190 by world health organization. There is no system in place for mistakes done by Burma Health care professionals.
(3)In journalism, Journalist have to deliver the message without influence of his or her own personal political, economical believes. News is not opinion and readers should not read opinion as news either. If journalist got sue by delivering news, he or she should be drop from charges. Opinion is different.

George Than Setkyar Heine Wrote:

22/07/2011

Her father is an ex-general and a powerful one and her husband an ex-colonel as well.
She has TWO BIG GUNS on both sides of her hip (in the family) lest you forget.

And she is SMART as well to talk GOOD about the law, which she knows is as STRETCHABLE as a RUBBER BAND as well.

DON'T WORRY FOLKS!

Things will RUN THEIR COURSE and ALL WILL BE WELL at the end of the day trust me.

However, I would WORRY a LOT in case she is NOT THE DAUGHTER of a General and her husband a Colonel for that matter.

This happened in Burma where NOBODY IS ABOVE THE LAW except...as you know!

Mualcin Wrote:

21/07/2011

My little boy was prescribed by a young doctor who did not specialize in TB treatment. My little boy took that very strong medicine for months even though he did not contracted TB. My boy was very sharp and so smart but after taking that medicine, he becomes a lot slower than before. It happened in 1995-96. If the public were protected by the government, that doctor would get sued by my family. Medical malpractice is a huge problem in Burma.

Zaw Min Wrote:

20/07/2011

Her father was definitely them if we talk in terms of us against them as he was a former SPDC general. But what she did was commendable and I just hope it is not a ploy played out together between a former and present generals to promote the present government. So better be mindful of this.
However, if it is not a ploy, those in power should take note too that you are not immune from those who come into power after you. Because evil system brings up more evil that will consume themselves as well as the past evils. Look at how Ne Win ends.

nawtali Wrote:

20/07/2011

This woman is BRAVE!And what an Eloquent, intelligent speaker. Will be keeping my fingers crossed for u! :)

Myanmar Patriots Wrote:

20/07/2011

"A: Currently, our country is in transition to democracy and all of us want to see it to become a better place. I think now is the time, while changing the system, that both the authorities and citizens have to work for their country in a collective manner. While doing so, media must point out unfairness and injustice, and criticize them. It has to reveal them for public awareness and make the authorities know what is happening. This is the duty of the media.

When I published the article about the SSC, I didn't have any desire to hurt the clinic. I just put the feelings of the affected family on my journal page and pointed out weaknesses in the clinic's services, that's all. There has been some sort of openness and improvement in the media. On the other hand, we need stamina to accept open and independent criticism. I think we still forget about that." HEAR HEAR. we totally agree.