Journalists slam state-owned media for monopoly on govt news
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Independent media have called for an end to the monopoly on government news that state-owned newspapers enjoy.
The monopoly of state-owned newspapers harms the rights of independent newspapers and the public’s right for information, claim journalists.
“We want to publish timely news about the president and ministries, but we have been restricted. We can only publish such news after it has been published in state-owned newspapers. It shouldn’t be like this. This harms the public’s right to up-to-date news,” said Khin Maung Lay, a veteran journalist.
“State-owned newspapers only publish what they want for the public. Our private newspaper searches for news that the public wants to know. So, it would be beneficial if private newspapers are allowed to publish news about the ministries simultaneously with state-owned newspapers.
The more balanced, accurate and faster the news is, the more beneficial it would be for the public,” he added.
The independent media has also criticised the privileged access state-owned newspapers get to President Thein Sein’s overseas’ trips, as well as news from ministries.
“I feel that state-owned newspapers are monopolising announcements and news coverage. This shouldn’t continue to exist now,” said Khaing Soe Aung, an independent-media photographer.
