The third ethnic media conference was recently held over three days in Chin State’s capital city of Hakha, from March 18-20th. The conference resulted in a 14-point statement, wherein ethnic media groups called for the government to enact the broadcasting law for community radio and TV channels.
Nai Kasauh Mon, Board Editor of Burma News International (BNI), stated, “If we can start the radio program as community radio first, it would be better. I think, since FM radio is the one that airs the voice of the public, it is possible for ethnic groups to submit to their state government for approval.”
Nai Kasauh Mon explained that, by analyzing ethnic media groups’ wishes, it is essential to have community ethnic radio and TV channels broadcasted to ethnic areas. Nai Kasauh Mon continued that, as such, ethnic media groups should be better prepared and well trained while waiting for the government to enact the broadcasting law and to [grant] green-light [for] community radio and TV channels.
During the 3rd ethnic media conference, U Pike Htwe, Deputy of Minister for Information, presented a speech in which he stated that the law concerning community radio programming has already been submitted to the Hluttaw.
“We will have technical issues when it comes to radio programs, but, at the moment, we are providing TV programing. We will cooperate with the TV channel of Chin State to mainly broadcast campaigns and movements of political parties in our state during the 2015 elections, as well as facts of the election, that the public knows,” said Salai Kyaw Moe Htun, TV producer for Chin World.
Last February BNI supervised TV program training to ethnic media groups, who then produced testing programs which are now underway.
Although the broadcasting law for the TV media sector has not been enacted, mainstream media programs, such as MRTC, National Race Channel and other media groups are now in operation.
“We have precise law for community radio (CR) in Australia, but in Burma there is no such law enacted, concerning community radio. For the long-term operation of community radio, it is necessary to have a sufficient budget,” said Daw Khin Mar Win of Radio Australia.
Attendance at the 3rd ethnic media conference included Chief Minister of Chin State U Hoang Ngai, Vice-Minister of Union Information U Pike Htwe, Secretary of the Chin National Front Dr. Shwe Kha, international media groups, well-known writers from Mandalay, senior reporters, representatives from BNI’s 13 member organizations, and members from Chin State civil society organizations.
The 3rd ethnic media conference was supported by BNI and held in the Hakha capital of Chin State, while the first two conferences, also supported by BNI, were held in Moulmein, Mon State and Taunggyi, Shan State, respectively. Next year’s conference will be held in Rakhine State.
