Journalist ethics in question
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Myanmar journalists' ethics are in question following reports that some took pricey souvenirs from the Ooredoo Myanmar's press briefing on August 2.
At the press briefing, Ooredoo prepared free SIM cards and some Sony Xperia E1 handsets for media members.
According to some journalists, both invited and non-invited press members hurried to the event to win the souvenirs. They scrambled the SIM cards and handsets, leading to a messy scene.
Associated Press photo journalist Shweintha Khin Maung Win posted in his Facebook page that he received a SIM card and a handset, which is worth Ks 1,500 and Ks 80,000, respectively.
“I took the presents and informed AP about that. My employer told me that all is barred from taking presents worth more than US$25 (Ks 25,000). I had to return the items on Monday,” he said.
Thiri Kyarnyo, an information officer at Ooredoo, declined to give the exact number of SIM cards and handsets given away as “presents”. The officer said the items were part of the company’s business test run.
