Media Law to Give '100 Percent Press Freedom'
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Thursday, March 28, 2024
Burma

Media Law to Give '100 Percent Press Freedom'


By THE IRRAWADDY Wednesday, March 21, 2012


The Irrawaddy founder Aung Zaw, right, meets Burma's Minister of Information Kyaw Hsan in Rangoon this week. (Photo: Irrawaddy)
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Burma's new media law is currently in its second draft stage and due for release sometime this year, Burma's Minister of Information Kyaw Hsan has confirmed.

Kyaw Hsan spoke with The Irrawaddy founder Aung Zaw for an exclusive interview in Rangoon this week, and explained that the new media law would not be copied from any other nation but be based upon real events in Burma's past and present.

“We learned about media law from different countries including Asean nations, America and India—which is a flourish democracy. But we did not copy from them.

“There are many things learned from the history of our country and we can take a lot of experience from this. We have written our new law combining our experiences of the past, present events and the law of international community which is appropriate for us,” he said.

Kyaw Hsan went on to ensure that all media outlets in the country would enjoy “100 percent press freedom,” but would have to abide by the law.

He added that his administration continues to work on broadcasting legislation and the legal requirements to run online publications, and both will be revealed at the same time as the new media law.

Burma has acquired more room for press freedom after the government underwent a series of political reforms. However, the Burmese media still has to pass articles by the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division until the new media law comes into force.
 
Meanwhile, Naypyidaw has allowed the international press access to the country and even the exiled Burmese media has been granted visas to visit. However, the authorities are still limiting the amount of time permitted inside to around one week.

Kyaw Hsan said that he will explain the policies governing the Burmese state-run media to the public in order to reform the institution. Then Burmese people can analysis and criticize the policy and let the authorities know what they think as, “the voice of the people is very important to reform the country.”

“The state media will reform independently and will take on a responsibility and duty similar to the private media—even the state media will write news stories based on criticism from the public in the future,” he said.

When The Irrawaddy asked Kyaw Hsan whether he belongs to the “hardliner” group within President Thein Sein's nominally civilian administration, he replied that he was   “a pragmatist whose priority is have rules and regulations.”

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Ohn Wrote:
22/03/2012
Now we can have

Ten Journals of "Land Grab News"
Ten Journals of "Selling Poor girls for prostitution in Thailand"
Ten for Japan and Korea
Ten for Mainland China

Ten journals of tortures and rapes by the "Sit-Tut" News

Ten Journals of military and their chums stealing public treasure as usual News

But all we have now is "Sucking up the Military" News inside and outside of the country.

They even describe extensive excuses how Thein Sein say some thing and something else happens.

Free Press!!! Bravo!

john eichler Wrote:
22/03/2012
just like North Korea, the Burmese govt uses a "carrot and stick" approach to the international community. They smile and say one thing, and then keep on doing what they've always done. A free press with stipulations!
Indeed!!

luusoelay Wrote:
22/03/2012
“We learned about media law from different countries including Asean nations, America and India—which is a flourish democracy. But we did not copy from them.

uh-oh, this is a the most evil part, wait until the truth speaks out.

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