Indo-Myanmar MoU inked to promote journalism

Our Bureau

IMPHAL | Sept 6

In a major breakthrough, Press Councils of India and Myanmar today signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of media, during the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s first official visit to Nay Pyi Taw today.

This was informed by C.K Nayak, member Press Council of India from Nay Pyi Taw, this evening over telephone to N. Tombi Raj, advisor, All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU).

The first such MOU between the two neighbours assumes significance for the Northeastern region of the country. Myanmar is one of India’s strategic neighbours and shares a 1,640-km-long border with a number of Northeast states including militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur.

The MOU was signed by justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad, chairman, Press Council of India and first vice-chairman of Myanmar Press Council, U Aung Hla Tun in the presence of   Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, President of Myanmar U Htin Kyaw and State counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at the presidential palace in Nay Pyi Taw.

As per the MOU, the two countries will promote peace journalism and exchange information, experience and knowledge pertaining to a non-violent, peaceful journalism, coverage towards restraint in matters that are likely to escalate conflict and act as a catalyst in deescalating conflict and providing peaceful world order.

The Prime Minister in the joint statement later hoped that this MOU will go a long way for more and frequent interaction between the two press councils.