Collaboration needed to safeguard people’s right to accurate information, emphasizes Union Information Minister

Union Minister U Maung Maung Ohn, speaking at the Four Pillars Workshop held in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, stressed the critical impact media outlets have on the country’s peace, stability, development, and unity. He highlighted the need for various sectors to work together to ensure the public’s right to accurate information.
In his address, the Union minister emphasized that the media must uphold the three pillars of the country – the legislative, the administrative, and the judiciary – on behalf of the public. Achieving this demands cooperation to guarantee the right to information.
“Mutual respect and understanding the nature of each pillar are essential,” he added, pointing out that transparency can be achieved through cooperative efforts. He urged the four pillars, including the media, to collaborate in ensuring qualified journalists and safeguarding the public’s right to access correct information.
Reflecting on the past, the Union minister noted that the relations between the media and the three pillars were smooth during the early years of democracy. However, with the outbreak of COVID-19 and political changes, the proliferation of false information, disinformation, and the rapid spread of news via social media platforms have made it challenging to provide true and reliable news to the public.
In light of this situation, he emphasized the importance of providing accurate information to the public and creating opportunities for them to discuss their concerns openly. This way, people will increasingly rely on the three pillars and media for credible information.
The Union minister called for a collaborative effort between the government and media to develop a Professional Development Programme for media personnel to ensure their growth and skills enhancement.
During the workshop, State Administration Council Member Daw Dwe Bu, Union Minister U Maung Maung Ohn, Chairman of Myanmar Press Council U Ohn Maung (Myinmu Maung Naing Moe), Union Minister Dr Thida Oo, and Union Minister U Aung Naing Oo, discussed ways to promote cooperation among the four pillars.
The workshop, moderated by Myanmar Media Development Group Member U Ko Ko (Ko Ko-RIT), also saw participation from Deputy Ministers, advisory board members of the SAC Chairman, departmental officials, and journalists. They engaged in discussions on finding proper solutions to ensure the right to information for citizens, conducting training courses by Myanmar Press Council, supporting journalism career growth, facilitating fast flow of information, and upholding freedom of the press while addressing challenges in digitalization, illegal satellite use, and online media.
The primary objectives of the workshop were to foster mutual respect based on media ethics among the legislative, administrative, and judiciary branches, and to explore ways to enhance cooperation within the Myanmar media sector while ensuring the public’s right to information. The participants aimed to build better relations among the four pillars and develop effective future work plans through suggestions and information exchange.
The Ministry of Information and Myanmar Press Council jointly hosted the workshops, on 30 December 2016, 21 February 2018, 30 April 2019, and 21 August 2020. — MNA/KTZH