Press body threatens to quit over bill

The Myanmar Press Council (MPC) has demanded a meeting with President Thein Sein, who it says must explain why the Printing and Publishing Bill was passed last week despite strong condemnation from journalists’ associations, who say that the law will curtail press freedoms.

The MPC had earlier submitted its amendments of the bill drafted by the Ministry of Information for review in parliament. However, the MPC claims that the amendments were ignored. The bill was approved by the Lower House on Thursday.

“Amendments that had been agreed upon by the Ministry [of Information] and the MPC were not found in the bill when it was approved. We want to know why the MPC had nothing to do with the press bill. So we have called a press conference to clarify this issue, and demand a meeting with the president,” said MPC chairman Khin Maung Aye.

Media associations have opposed the Printing and Publishing Bill ever since it was introduced, saying the true aim of those drafting it was to control the media.

The bill was initially shelved by parliament to allow discussions on amendments between the Ministry of Information and media associations. 

The MPC said that it met with Information Minister Aung Kyi, who promised them that their amendments would be submitted to parliament. However, they claim that none of their amendments made it into the final draft.

“The parliament-approved Printing Publishing Bill remains unchanged despite our agreement with the Ministry [of Information] over the provisions to be amended. It is the same as the original bill the Ministry drafted,” MPC secretary Kyaw Min Swe said. “We feel that they have broken their promises.”

Along with the MPC, those who have rejected the bill and called for a meeting with the president are the Myanmar Journalist Association, Myanmar Journalists Network and the Myanmar Journalist Union.

“We have to follow these steps and we will send the letter to the respective committees and the President’s Office. We will also go to deal with the matter in person. If we don’t get an answer, all the members of the Press Council are going to resign,” Kyaw Min Swe said. “The Ministry of Information is taking advantage of its authority to curtail freedom of the press indirectly,” he added.