Myanmar journalists to campaign against controversial press bill

Myanmar journalists to campaign against controversial press bill

Published on Thursday, 01 August 2013 10:02

The Myanmar Journalists Network (MJN) will start collecting petitions against the Printing and Publishing Enterprise Bill that journalists say blocks the right of the public to news and information. 

MJN Secretary Myint Kyaw said they would start collecting petitions from the public on Wednesday. The current move comes after the Lower House of Parliament approved the bill drafted by the Information Ministry earlier this month. Journalists say the bill is designed to indirectly control or oppress press freedom, barring the public right to access news. 

"The press bill is a public concern. MJN will lead collecting petitions, which will be submitted to the president and government officials to let them know the pubic oppose the bill," said Myint Kyaw. 

MJN also launched a 'stop killing press' campaign following the government's numerous charges against local print media although the government has allowed more media freedoms than before.  

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 implemented when the bill was approved.  

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/08/02/myanmar-journalists-to-campaign-against-controversial-press-bill/