Myanmar journalists decry approved press bill

Myanmar journalists decry approved press bill

Published on Saturday, 06 July 2013 18:53

A meeting on reviewing the Printing and Publishing bill drafted by the Ministry of Information held on March 12, 2013 in Yangon (Photo - Aung Zaw Tun/EMG)

Myanmar journalists, including members of the interim Press Council, have categorically rejected the Printing and Publishing Enterprise Bill that the Lower House of Parliament approved this past Thursday after making some amendments. 

The bill drafted by the Information Ministry was also criticised for being in parallel with the media bill written by the Press Council on the ground that  the legislation permit ministry to continue to control the media and journalists. 

Journalists have opposed and criticised the bill ever since it was introduced. The criticism prompted the ministry to find a common ground with the critics and vowed to amend the draft legislation. 

However, most of the amendments agreed between the ministry and the Press Council were not made when the bill was approved. 

 A veteran journalist said the press bill was not acceptable and it was like the draconian law of 1962. 

"We cannot accept this law, which is the same as the very strict press law of 1962. The current law carries no prison punishments. But we can be sued. They (government) can sue journalists when their publications are not in conformity with this law," said veteran journalist Win Tin.  

"In Parliament, some are saying that there are such and such chances and it is a relief. Anyway, we want a press law that can facilitate the development of the fourth estate. We don't want restrictions or controls in a certain way" he commented. 

Zaw Thet Htwe, a member of Myanmar Journalists Union (MJU), expressed disappointment with the bill, saying it is just a trick made by the Information Ministry. 

"We opposed the press bill when it came out. Then, the minister met with the Press Council. Provisions on printing and publishing are also enshrined in the media bill drafted by the council. So we demanded those provisions be removed from the press bill. The ministry refused it and promised to amend some provisions. But it is not the same as they said when the bill was approved. We have to reconsider dealing with the ministry," Zaw Thet Htwe said.

On March 12 after the ministry announced the press bill, members of MJU, Myanmar Journalists Association, Myanmar Journalists Network, Press Freedom Committee and news agencies, journalists and social organizations called a meeting to review the bill. The participants signed a petition to have the press bill revoked as it could harm press freedom and disrupt democratic changes. 

They then sent suggestions over amendments, subtractions and supplements to the president, Union Assembly speaker, Lower House speaker and chairman of Lower House's Sports, Culture and Public Relations Committee. 

The parliament has only removed prison sentences stated under Article 7 of Chapter (3), Article 12 of Chapter (5), and Chapter (7) in the press bill.

In the substituted part, it states that free expression of the media in lawful manner must not be deterred, and also states in its amendment that any prohibitions made in this law in accord with the Constitution must not be assumed as limits to discourage free expression of every citizen.

Moreover, it also amended that anyone shall not do print media together with broadcasting.

"But the Public Service Media bill drafted by the Ministry of Information alone allows publishers to do the broadcasting together. For private media sector, this bill doesn't allow publishers to do the broadcasting together. This shows it's just unfair," said Zaw Thet Htwe. 

"Since that bill came out, it has been protested. But, the Lower House has approved it after changing some parts of the bill and deleting some other parts. However, it cannot be accepted that the registration officer is given the decision-making power to issue, revoke or cease publishing licenses. The Ministry of Information has never been transparent. They are not honest. Also in this case, I think they got their own way," said Chit Win Maung, a member of the interim Press Council.

"The most important point is that controlling the publishers is tantamount to putting constraints [on the journalists]. No matter how much journalists write, how would you do if the publishers dare not publish it? Therefore, this law has an indirect control on the journalists. [I think] such laws will also come. I don't accept that there are many laws [regarding the press]. In fact, if a law needs to be passed, the media law should have come first. Only if necessary, this law should follow. Now, it is not good that the businessmen have been controlled, before there is a [media] law for the journalists.

According to the Constitution's Section 138 (c), a bill approved by the Lower House is to be discussed in the Upper House. After being reviewed by the Upper House, the bill is returned to the Lower House. If the Lower House agrees with the changes made by the Upper House, the bill is sent to the Speaker of the Union Assembly. If the Lower House disagrees with the changes, it will be required to accept the decision of the Union Assembly Speaker.

Regarding the Printing and Publishing Enterprise Bill approved by the Lower House, the interim Press Council called an urgent meeting on July 4, and issued a 7-point announcement including their protest against the bill.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/07/07/myanmar-journalists-decry-approved-press-bill/