6th February 2021, Saturday

The Myanmar Press Council is a free and independent organization that is organized under the provision of news media law, issued on 14th March 2014 and with democratically elected representatives from various organizations such as journalists organizations, technocrats organizations, intelligentsia organizations, and law expertise.

The Myanmar Press Council is the only institution that can assist and work on issues related to journalists following the provision Myanmar News Media Law, article (12).

The Myanmar Press Council has been implementing the objectives of the News Media Law enshrined in article (2) such as

(a) To emerge news media enterprise feels free to be published by every citizen in accordance with the provisions of the state constitution.

(b) To be able to stand stably news media enterprise as the fourth pillar.

(c) To fully achieve the right and freedom of the news media men.

(d) To stipulate and draw duty, code of conduct, terms, and practice to be complied with by news media men within the applicable business and organization.

(e) To meet the right of knowing of the news of every citizen.

(f) To compound and be peaceful on anyone complain and issue under a negotiation way as regard of any statement and broadcast of any news media.

Moreover, the Myanmar Press Council is the institution accountable to implement and safeguard the followings enshrined in article (3) of the News Media Law that guarantee the journalists to

(a) Have right to freely comment, point, suggest on the legislation executive and judiciary in line with the constitution.

(b) The information and attitude to be known by every citizen shall be investigated, stated and broadcasted in line with code of conduct and terms.

(c) Have right to demonstrate of matters of the losses of the privilege of any citizen.

(d) Have right to acquire information, accommodation and assets into government office, department and organization in accordance with the terms of the applicable departments and organization.

The Myanmar Press Council is informed that the security forces scrutinize, interrogate and warn some journalists directly or indirectly while covering the current issues happening in Myanmar.

In addition, some media houses are blocked from publishing and broadcasting. For example, Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), Mizzima, and some FM radio stations are blocked from broadcasting and some other Social Media pages are blocked.

In the spirit of article 19, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as article 359 (B) of the Myanmar Constitution, 2008 and, the News Media Law, everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

The Myanmar Press Council regards any activity such as threatening, disturbing, and blocking to gather information, publish and broadcast news, as disrespects the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, the Constitution of Myanmar 2008, and the News Media Law.

Thus, the Press Myanmar Press Council strongly condemned such activities and urged the authority to take accountability and resolve the situation.

Article 20 (C), the News Media Bylaw states that “ If any person or any organization threatens, disturbs, interferes a journalist while doing his or her job lawfully, the incident shall be published to the public”.

Therefore, the Myanmar Press Council declares that it shall not be influenced, manipulated by neither a particular person nor organization and maintain its freedom and independence enshrined by the Myanmar News Media Law and continue its duties independently.

The Myanmar Press Council