A Chin State government press conference is commencing on today, with multiple media outlets dissatisfied with restrictions in place for reporters.

Today press conference is set to review the performance of the state government’s third year in office. It was originally supposed to be held on June 24 but was pushed ahead due to scheduling conflicts.   

The government released its own “eight-point principles” for media outlets ahead of the press event, stating that journalists were allowed to ask only three questions, that the questions must be submitted in advance, and that no live broadcast would be allowed.

Chin media condemned the request for questions in advance, with some outlets refusing to attend the press conference on the grounds that the move was an effort to limit the discussion and was not in line with standard journalistic practices.

Salai Htun Gei, editor of Chin World Media argued that State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi does not require questions in advance at press conferences, nor does the Tatmadaw.

“In my opinion, requesting questions in advance is wrong,” he said. “They have to prepare for everything—this is their job. Sometimes other state governments have restricted questions but they didn’t request advance questions. They have to solve their problems before they meet media outlets.”  

Editor of The Hakha Post, Per Pwi, said that he would attend Wednesday’s press conference, but had originally decided not to go. He changed his mind after the government representatives said they would permit an unrestricted question and answer session.

“We already requested open questioning. The Chin State chief minister permitted open questioning. That’s why we changed our decision,” he explained. “We want to ask questions freely… they should not restrict the number of questions or a live broadcast.”