'Govt needs media to perform its role'

The government can implement its tasks only if it cooperates with the media, Myanmar President Thein Sein said in his first press conference on Sunday. 

“Actually, the media is the eyes and ears of our government, so we know the views and opinions [from all sides]. Moreover, the people need to [be aware]. Media is a message conveyor for the people,” he said.  

Thein Sein said the country’s endeavours will succeed if there is cooperation between the government and the media, the fourth pillar of the state.

The president explained that through transparency, the media will be able to assess the government’s performance and suggest ways to improve it. He sees the media as an important communication tool for the people to learn of the government’s activities. 

 

Cooperating with the media

Under the rule of the military junta, the ministries feared the media. Along with the series of reforms in Myanmar, Thein Sein is requesting ministries to cooperate with the media by granting interviews from time to time, and to patiently and truthfully reply to queries. 

In the same press conference, the president was asked by the Eleven Media Group if the Constitution will be amended before the 2015 elections in light of fears of political issues hampering reconciliation efforts and the backsliding of democratic reforms. 

The president said introducing amendments to the Constitution would depend on Parliament. “The Constitution cannot be amended through my own way. Whether to amend the Constitution [or not] depends on members of Parlia-ment in the Union Assembly.

“We have to try not to turn back. There are different ideas and opinions in politics. The [important] thing is to move ahead,” he added. 

Amid all the controversial issues, Thein Sein also said he is confident that the democratisation process will not backslide, stressing that democracy lies with the people’s desire to achieve it. 

On the peace talks, the president said he would like peace to be restored in Kachin State, and that he hopes this will be achieved through ongoing negotiations. The armed conflict between the army and Kachin Independence Army has been ongoing in Kachin since June last year, when fighting broke out after a 17-year ceasefire agreement fell apart. 

He also said the plan for a liaison office for the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will not be pushed through. Groups in Rakhine, including Buddhists, have been protesting against having an OIC office in Myanmar. 

More than 130 local and foreign journalists attended the briefing at the Presidential House in Nay Pyi Taw. Thein Sein said he feared he would be criticised if he did not oblige the local media after granting many interviews abroad.