Nay Pyi Taw December 21
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing received Chairman U Ohn Kyaing of Myanmar Press Council, constituted on 30 October 2018, and members at the Parlour of Bayintnaung Villa here this morning.
Also present at the meeting together with the Senior General were Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Mya Tun Oo, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Tin Aung San, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Maung Maung Kyaw and senior military offi cers of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief. U Ohn Kyaing was accompanied by Vice Chair (1) Dr. Myo Thant Tin, Vice Chair (2) U Kyaw Naing, Secretary U Kyaw Swa Min and members of the Council.
At the meeting, the Senior General cordially welcomed the members of newly formed Council. The Senior General said the Tatmadaw has been dealing with every organization as a partner in a friendly atmosphere. There are organizations serving the national interest. Not all the organizations have international counterparts, but every country has their own media organizations. There are various types of media. The Tatmadaw welcomes the media that serves the country’s interest.
The Council chairman expressed pleasure for the opportunity to hold the meeting. He also expressed belief that the Tatmadaw and the Council will be able to build a durable and enduring bilateral relationship after establishing mutual trust; and that success will be achieved only if the Council can join hands with the people for the progress of the country, for the betterment of future and for the restoration of eternal peace through trust and unity. He said disunity will not bring national development. He also warmly welcomed the Tatmadaw’s endeavours for restoring internal peace. He said he understands the attitudes of the Tatmadaw. All journalists here are Myanmar citizens and ethnics. However, there might be different experiences and maturity. To have understanding and keep contacts between the Tatmadaw and journalists, the holding of workshops should continue. He then requested for arrangements to ensure that journalists have no diffi culty in getting news about the Tatmadaw.
The Senior General said it is true that the relations between the Tatmadaw and media have improved today. Only through such bilateral cooperation, will the country develop, and cooperation will continue as well. Workshops will be held at convenient times. The Tatmadaw is also releasing news and information related to military affairs. Although journalists have different outlooks in their respective fi elds, it is important for their information to be correct when it comes to the national cause. Afterwards, MPC vice chairmen, secretary and members expressed thanks to the Tatmadaw for its arrangements for journalists to cover news. They then asked about the Tatmadaw’s peace efforts, affairs of crime reporters, action against the two Reuters reporters, and the Tatmadaw’s arrangements for timely release of news and information. The Senior General said the case of the Reuters reporters was decided in line with the law and intervention could not be made in the judicial sector. As for crimes that happen in the Tatmadaw, it is up to the decision of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services. Despite such power entrusted by the constitution, the decision of the Chief Justice, the Supreme Court and judges at step-by-step levels is fi rst and foremost when it comes to the national cause. Plans will be made to have contacts with ministers for security and border affairs for news coverage in states and regions and with command staff colonels from respective command headquarters for news coverage about military affairs.
Then, the Senior General presented gifts to the MPC chairman and members. The MPC chairman also presented a gift to the Senior General. They later posed for a group photo and had lunch together. The Senior General said the purpose of meeting with the chairman and members of Myanmar Press Council and local media was to promote further friendly relations with the Council. The Tatmadaw will cooperate with any organizations for development of the nation. He expressed his concept that media is the fourth pillar of the State. He said his belief that the roles of executive, legislation, judiciary and media will fi rmly support development tasks of the State. If three pillars of the Tatmadaw which defends the government, the people and the nation are combined with media pillar, he believes the country would have further development. The country has been on the path of democracy since 2011. As efforts are being made to have a strong route, the Senior General urged media to assist in doing such a process. Whatever pressure is imposed, every citizen has responsibility for ensuring peace and stability of the country. In striving for achieving peace in order to ensure peace and stability of the nation, some successes have been achieved while discussions are being held. Decisions will be released now after reviewing the endeavours for peace.
Afterwards, Director Maj-Gen Tun Tun Nyi of the Directorate of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare read “Statement on Ceasefire and Eternal Peace of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.”
Next, the Senior General and party cordially greeted the chairman and party of Myanmar Press Council.
The Senior General met with the Myanmar Press Council and former Myanmar Media Council (Interim) two times in 2014, three times in 2015, two times in 2016 and two times including the present meeting in 2018 in order to promote relations and build mutual trust between the Tatmadaw and media.
