US urges action on social media abuse

US Ambassador Derek Mitchell has urged Myanmar’s government to take action against those who use social media to incite social unrest in the country.

Some people use fake identities and fake accounts on social networks, writing recklessly and stirring up problems, Mitchell said. They do not take responsibility for what they have written, the ambassador said. 

“The Myanmar government needs to take action against these people” Ambassador Mitchell said on May 8, during a workshop on freedom of expression held at the American Centre. 

Approximately 300 students attended. The main topics were the definition and nature of freedom of expression, media freedom and conditions in Myanmar, and censorship. 

Negative aspects of free expression, such as irresponsibly writing on social networking sites under the banner of freedom of expression, and propagation of false statements or incitements to violence were included in the discussion. 

According to the Myanmar writer Phay Myint and the blogger Nay Phone Latt, laws in Myanmar strictly control independent expression. 

However, the blogger Pandora said that not only freedom of expression but also safety needs to be guaranteed. 

After the liberalisation of censorship laws, everyone should take responsibility for what they’ve written. Irresponsible written communication needs to be monitored, the blogger said.  Ambassador Mitchell said that Myanmar is now in an age in which people can express their own opinions independently. 

That is a fundamental aspect of democracy, he said, adding that Myanmar needs an independently operated news media that can be held accountable. 

The Assistant Public Affairs Officer of the American Embassy, Michael Quinlan, said that laws are needed to define the limits of freedom of expressions, while the judicial system has the responsibility to enforce them. 

Social and religious incitement, insulting someone, and defamation are all unacceptable activities, Quinlan said. 

In fact, a number of Facebook users – Hludu Maung Karlu, Oppositeyes, Myanmar Express, We Love True, MMN and Plato Demo – have intentionally disturbed the country’s tranquillity, inflaming last year’s clashes in Rakhine state, as well as the deadly riots this year in Meikhtila township in Mandalay and western Bago regions.

According to Quinlan, the movie censorship system in America was scrapped in the 1970s. Instructions and limitations were put in place. Quinlan said those who abuse social media should be charged.