There are only few countries where the government directly controls the media. In some countries the government tries to control the media using various ways. In India it was a different story during the Emergency days when officials came to read the next day’s newspapers. Unfortunately press law is not defined well and there is no mention of press freedom in the Constitution unlike most other countries. Forcing media persons to reveal sources, enquiring about the news to be published as done in an autocratic state are also beginning to appear its ugly head in our country specially in Manipur. As our neighbour Myanmar opens up we wonder if we will be closing the door in our region. Myanmar has vowed to make reform of state media after opening up to private media to a certain level since democratic reform began to take place last year.Private media is now considered to have the right to publish freely far and wide, an information official claimed.”Previously, the state media under the control of the ministry of information mainly inform the policies and stances, implementation and limited information of the government to the public. It barely published public based news and information, wishes, feedback and argument of people,” Minister of Information and Culture U Kyaw Hsan told the paper-reading session.Citing President U Thein Sein, U Kyaw Hsan urged giving serious attention to the print media, claimed as the 4th estate, as well as constructive criticism of the press, stressing the need to transform state media into the values of public service media to meet three objectives, namely to inform policies and stances and implementation of the government; to publish opinions, wish, aspiration and feedback of the people in response to the action of the government; and to make constructive criticism in this regard.He urged correct practice of the very essence of democracy, keeping people informed and educated.He insisted that every citizen shall be at liberty in expressing and publishing freely their conviction and opinions if not contrary to the laws, enacted for union security, prevalence of law and order, community peace and tranquillity or public order and morality.He urged journalists, who already have the freedom of expression, to observe journalistic code of ethics and existing laws and rules to the letter in practicing expression of freedom.Meanwhile, Myanmar’s private print media law has been drafted and submitted to the government for
discussions in the upcoming parliament session . The drafted law is said not inferior to international standard and those of ASEAN legislation and not to curtail freedom of literary world and journalists and press freedom but to shape dignified and genuine 4th estate. India aspiring to be a great democratic country should also ensure freedom of the press. Gagging the press does not mean end of the problem. Only an autocrat will not like his or her real image published in the media. It is only a mirror where we see our own self, if you are bad you are seen bad and if good you will be seen good. Change yourself rather than gagging the media.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/opening-up-media/
