Attendees to the 8th Ethnic Media Conference (EMC) agreed to establish an independent self-regulatory body to guide independent Myanmar media at the 8th EMC organized by the Burma News International (BNI), according to the statement.
The 8th EMC, with the title “Media Moving Forwards To a Federal Burma,” was convened near the border area in the last week of April for three days.
The establishment of the independent self-regulatory body comes as the military-formed Myanmar Media Council doesn’t represent the independent media.
Chief Editor of the Karen Information Center (KIC) Nan Pawt Gay who is also Chair of Policy Affairs Committee of the BNI and Spokesperson of the EMC said: “The establishment of this self-regulatory body aims to show the world that it is an independent body which represents the media in Myanmar. The military-appointed Media Council doesn’t actually represent the independent media.”
A working group is formed with three delegates from the BNI and eight delegates from other media organizations for the establishment of this body. The working group will continue to discuss undertakings, Nan Pawt Gay added.
Proposals for ethnic media policy that would be used for the future federal union, were also being drafted. The conference also discussed and confirmed a plan to form public service media based on federal democracy, ethnic states, and regions.
The topic on online monetization methods for media organizations was discussed at a three-day conference. Current advocacy activities and regional conditions were also analyzed with a view to finding ways to bring information about Myanmar’s prolonged crisis to the attention of governments and people of neighboring countries.
The EMC was held in seven regions and states from 2013 to 2019. The objective of 8th EMC is to ensure the development and sustainability of independent Myanmar media and the role of media in the future federal union.
The 8th Ethnic Media Conference was attended by 130 people, including representatives from 40 local and international media, partner organizations, some diplomatic partners, and donors.
Sent by Nant Hsan Htee (KIC)