Members of Burma News International (BNI), Myanmar’s largest ethnic media network are concerned about the public’s right to access information, particularly ethnic media, which they feel is being subjected to oppression during the COVID-19 global crisis.
As a case in point, BNI cites the recent arrest of the Nirinjara News Chief Editor, U Khian Myat Kyaw. He was charged under Section 50 (a)/ 52 (a) of the Counterterrorism Law at the Sittwe police station yesterday. The charges stem from an interview and subsequent media report with an Arakan Army official.
The police investigated the news agency office, and took two computers along with three staff, according to Nai Ko Ko Zaw, a Chief Editor of Than Lwin Times, and member of the BNI network.
“Now, Myanmar is in its critical time. Ethnic news media are reporting reliable news coverage during the COVID-19 epidemic. [Such arrests] seem like opposing ethnic people’s right of access to information. This should not happen. Whether they are ethnic people, people who live in town or in the forest, they should have access to truthful news. Taking legal action against locally-based ethnic media will make it difficult for them to provide news. It became a threat for the people to know true information,” said Nai Ko Ko Zaw.
Content from the Narinjara news and Rakhine State-based Development Media Group (DMG) news websites have been blocked on the state-owned operator MPT and Mytel as of the 23 and 24 of March. Likewise, the Karen English News website was inaccessible on networks of MPT, according to the BNI statement released on March 29th. Each of these ethnic media outlets are members of BNI.
According to BNI’s Chair of the Policy Affairs Committee, Mrs. Nan Paw Gay “It’s crucial for media outlets to provide truthful information to the public at this time. According to the peace process [ it is necessary ] to achieve a democratic country. Our ethnic media outlets are reporting important news stories about the conflicts and the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. By banning websites from state-based ethnic media outlets, the government is trying to keep people in the dark and violating [our rights to] Freedom of Expression.”
The NLD civilian government has been blocking public access to certain news web pages by orders to telecommunication operators and mobile internet service providers.
The BNI’s statement urges the Myanmar Press Council (MPC) to assist in restoring full internet access to information, and to uphold the rights for freedom of expression in Rakhine and Chin States.
The Burma News International (BNI) Network was established in 2003 and currently has a membership of 16 news media outlets.
