Upper House bans photography
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Upper House director Lwin Oo said on June 1 Photography would be restricted from the media room of the parliament for security reasons, said Upper House director Lwin Oo.
“We’ve learned from the parliaments of Poland, India, Australia and Cambodia. Their security is stricter than ours. The degree of security will depend on conditions. We may ease the rules later,” he said on June 1.
The deputy director said security was not very tight before because it was not necessary. But, he said, if something bad were to happen and if preventative measures were in place, there would be nothing to regret.
“The Polish parliament checks every car entering into its premise and every staff member,” said Lwin Oo.
However, others are doubtful of whether the ban on photography is truly rooted in security concerns, especially in light of a recent incident in which reporters were banned from closely observing Union parliament in session after they publicised photos of MPs sleeping during a session.
Upper House MP Hla Swe said: “I don’t know if what is happening has to do with security. Reporters cannot plant a bomb. The parliament is more likely to be bombed. It seems the Upper House is just following the earlier moves by the Lower House and the Union parliament. I think the ban won’t last; it’s just for the moment.”
Hla Swe continued: “I don’t think this is an order of the director of the parliament office. It must be from the speakers, especially U (Thura) Shwe Mann. I don’t know what kind of information they received regarding security.”
The Union parliament banned photography on May 26, and the Lower House did the same on May 27.
The ban has been more of an obstacle to broadcast journalists than daily newspapers.
