Colonel Nay Htut Oo, the Minister of Mon State’s Security and Border Affairs accused the media of fueling conflicts between the government and public at the Mon State Government Group’s Tuesday press conference. The press conference was held to discuss the Mon State Government’s third year performance.
Col. Nay Htut Oo’s comments about the media were made in response to a question about government plans to take action against motorbikes with side-carts.
“It is okay to take action,” said Colonel Nay Htut Oo with regards to taking action against the owners of the motorbikes with side-carts. “If we arrest them, you guys [reporters] will ask how the government plans to eliminate public poverty. So, the media spins the story and jumps on opportunities to fuel fighting between the public and the government. This happens often.”
The Minister Col. Nay Htut Oo explained that it was simply the law. If the owner of a motorbike with a side-cart cannot provide a company-issued license for the motorbike with a newly-designed side-cart, it is possible to arrest the owner in accordance with the law. The government could immediately arrest someone if there were any complaint made, whether it is an individual’s request or a three-wheel motorbike association’s request to take action.
Journalists and politicians alike have criticized Minister Colonel Nay Htut Oo’s comments about the media.
“That is his personal feeling. But he should be careful about saying the media is fueling conflict between the public and government. He should be careful when he says that, since he is a member of the Government Group,” said Ko Nyan Soe Win, Irrawaddy reporter.
At a press conference on the Ayarwaddy Region Government’s third year work performance on May 22 in Pathein, the capital of the Ayarwaddy Region, the region’s chief minister U Hla Moe Aung encouraged the media to report on both the successes and shortcomings of the government.
“When we do something against the law, this can be reported. When we do something in accordance with the law, it can be reported. The media sector is very important. We want the public to know what we are doing, too. The media can also report to the public what we are not accomplishing. It is necessary for the public to know about the government’s and Hluttaw’s activity because we are running with the public’s support. We also rely on the media for things to be reported to the public,” said Pathein’s Chief Minister U Hla Moe Aung.
