Police role suspected in posting of violent pictures

The photos depicting dead bodies following the violent incidents are often uploaded online shortly after each riot even though journalists and photographers have no access to such graphic details, they said.

This week’s Mandalay riots reportedly broke out following the news and photo posting on Thit Htoo Lwin news website.

“Some crime-related news photos cannot be easily taken by media professionals. But some online media outlets seem to have readily obtained them. It is clear that those who can easily get such photos post them on the Internet. They are police forces and those close to them. What I am concerned about the media is that crime-related photos must be published only after being edited in accordance with journalist ethics. Otherwise, the public will misunderstand the media,” said Kyaw Min Swe, chief editor of the Voice Daily.

 “Another point is that some people close to the government or the police might have entered the media world to engage in online or print media business. It is likely that their attempt is aimed at harming the dignity of professional media.” 

Some critics say that crime-related news and photos, which are within police jurisdiction, can only come from police and intelligence organisations. 

“In a morgue, only police and intelligence officers have the mandate to take photos in criminal cases. If they themselves cannot, another reliable photographer can be asked after seeking permission. For forensic pathologists, they can take photos for educational purposes only. But other medical professionals cannot take such photos, let alone people from other fields. So, such kind of photos might have come from them [police],” said a medical examiner.

An officer from Myanmar Police Force and the majority of media people are among those voicing suspicion on the online circulation of gory photos of dead bodies shortly after conflicts. 

“The attempt to destabilise the country through political means will not be effective. Neither will it be effective through the economic conditions. But the attempt to destabilise the country through social and religious conflict is an effective way to harm the public interest and cause unrest and violence in the whole country. Actually, there was incitement behind the Mandalay violence based on the news on Thit Htoo Lwin social media website,” said a police lieutenant colonel from Myanmar Police Force on condition of anonymity on Friday. 

Aung Thura, chief reporter from 7 Days News said: “It is certain that there is a connection between those organisations acquiring such details and instigators because ordinary people and reporters find it difficult to get pictures. If the authorities fail to take action, it will mean that they are encouraging conflict. This has not happened just now. The Meikhtila incident broke out due to inflammatory Facebook message. The authorities know that all other conflicts were sparked by messages circulated through Facebook.”

Myint Kyaw, general secretary of Myanmar Journalist Network, criticised the government for its lapse of duty in handling the crisis. He said that there are only two sources of such photos. The first are those who caused the violence and the latter are police officers at the scene. 

 “We all accept that Facebook has often become a cause for fuelling unrest,” he said. 

The instigators of the violence often cited the religious and social issues as the pretext. But the riots in Meikhtila, Lashio and Oakkan happened in the wake of rumours and hate speeches circulated anonymously on the social media, such as Facebook and certain websites.