Journalists slam state-owned newspapers for monopoly over govt news

Journalists slam state-owned newspapers for monopoly over govt news

Published on Sunday, 07 July 2013 16:18

Although the publication of private newspapers have been permitted to operate, state-owned newspapers continue to monopolise the news, announcements, orders, and notification of orders from the government, journalists say.

The monopolisation of state-owned newspapers harms the rights of independent newspapers and the public's right for information, according to journalists.

"We want to publish news about the President and ministries on time but we have been restricted. We can only publish them after they were published on state-owned newspapers. It shouldn't be like this. This harms the public's right to have up-to-date news," said Khin Maung Lay (Phoe Thauk Kyar), a veteran journalist.

"State-owned newspapers only publish what they want to inform the public. Our private newspaper searches for news that the public wants to know. So, it would be beneficial if private newspapers are allowed to publish news about the ministries simultaneously with state-owned newspapers. The more balanced, accurate and faster the news is, the more beneficial it would be for the public," he added.

The media persons have also criticised that only the state-owned media and private media who are close to the government have been allowed to cover news and take photos during the President's oversea trips and other news from the ministries.

"I feel that state-owned newspapers are monopolising announcements and news coverage. This shouldn't continue to exist now," said Khaing Soe Aung, a photographer from a local media.

State-owned newspapers are also allowed to publish monthly speeches of President Thein Sein ahead of private newspapers before they are broadcasted on the television and radio.

"It is inappropriate for the state-owned newspapers to get the government news first. This seems like an effort to weaken private newspapers. If private newspapers are weakened, it would affect the public. The public don't only read The Mirror and Myanma Alin Newspapaers . The audience who reads other newspapers will be affected. That's why news should be released at the same time," said Myanma Alin Aung Than, a veteran journalist.

"The news on the President Office's website is no longer up-to-date. The news is only published after it has been published in state-owned newspapers.  We should have been informed about the reformation of the Peaceworking Committee, which has been published today's edition of state-owned newspapers, but we only knew about it after the news have been published in the newspaper. We can only refer to the follow-ups of the state-owned newspapers," said Saw Myint Than, deputy managing editor of the Yangon Times daily newspaper.

Media persons also say that ministries should appoint official spokespersons as it is difficult to receive confirmations for news about ministries and the military.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/07/08/journalists-slam-state-owned-newspapers-for-monopoly-over-govt-news/