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Myanmar carrying out media reform to get in touch with people: official

Xinhua, June 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Myanmar new government is carrying out state media reform systematically in a bid to get close touch with the people as part of its 100-day program since taking office, Information Minister U Pe Myint said Thursday.

In an interview with Xinhua in Nay Pyi Taw, U Pe Myint said under the changing situation, state media not only presents the government's view but also listens to the voice of the people.

He cited the new appearance of some state media such as Myanmar-language Myanma Alin daily and the Mirror Daily and the English-language Global New Light of Myanmar Daily.

He disclosed that reform on state broadcasting and TV media will be carried out gradually.

He also revealed that libraries in townships will be transformed into community centers to enable people to discuss their social affairs .

For the development of literature, he called on to raise the momentum by holding literature forums and book fairs.

The government is also on the path to transforming state media to private media.

As for the print media, he recalled that the previous government has eased some restriction allowing weekly journal, daily newspaper for publication.

He stressed the need to enact by-laws and issue directives to continue enforcement of the TV Law promulgated by the previous government and form the TV Council as prescribed in the law.

In replying to questions raised by Xinhua, U Pe Myint said individual foreign media are restricted to operate but there is no problem for the foreign media to run in joint venture with Myanmar counterparts under Myanmar Foreign Investment Law already in place.

The previous government in August 2012 exempted all private publications from scrutiny before publishing, which was a major step of its media reform to ensure more press freedom in the country.

A Press Council (Provisional) was also established in 2012 to govern the writing of media, he said, reiterating the need for foreign media to write in a correct and balanced manner without siding. Endit