Development Media Group (DMG) was founded on 9 January 2012, and it is an independent media agency. The DMG is disseminating news, presenting TV news programmes and posting online news regarding Arakan State’s affairs mainly focusing on regional stability, peace and sustainable and holistic multi-sector development, and video footage as well as publishing the Development News Journal.
The news journal was granted a publishing license for five years from 4 December in 2014 to 3 December in 2019. The Ministry of Information granted the license to publish the journal two times a month. It is published under the publishing number 00125. The DMG has handed in the license and officially applied to register the whole media agency, to change the publisher’s name and to re-register the journal under the name of the new publisher since 11 March in 2019.
According to the Patent Rights and Registration Branch from the Department of Information and Public Relations, we have learnt that the branch normally issues a publishing license and media outlet license within three weeks or 21 days if an applicant submits all required documents and information. It has been 105 days or over three and a half months now that we have submitted all required documents and information, but we have not been granted the media outlet license and publishing license for the new publisher yet. So, we found that it is conflicting with the department’s procedure.
Regarding this issue, we requested Dr Pe Myint, Union Minister for Information, to help us be granted a media outlet license and publishing license. We sent a letter to him regarding this matter dated 28 May in 2019. However, nothing has happened so far. Such a delay for issuing a license for the media outlet and news journal could lead to the loss people’s opportunities to receive and know news and other information, and to distribute information and news, it is also a breach of freedom of expression and media freedom.
Moreover, we are facing difficulties to continue publishing the news journal in terms of the law and security. Meanwhile, officials from governmental departments and the Tatmadaw told the DMG that our news agency is an illegal operation when we contacted them to gather news and try to conduct interviews with them on the current affairs in Arakan State. That situation could undermine the rights to establish a media agency and press freedoms for collecting, reporting and publishing news and other valuable information.
In addition, the Myanmar government shut down Internet services provided by MPT, Mytel, Telenor and Ooredoo in Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Minbya, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Maungdaw and Myebon Townships in Arakan State and Paletwa Township in Chin State, where armed conflicts are intensifying between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army. The Internet shutdown went into effect on 21 June in the affected areas. The government’s Internet ban signifies a disregard for fostering human rights in the conflict-ridden areas. And it impedes journalists’ ability to receive and distribute news and information and thwarts people’s rights to receive and know information. There is also a news blackout in the northern region Arakan State. So, the DMG is deeply ashamed of these acts that were committed by the government.
Thus, we sadly convey to our readers our deepest apologies for temporarily suspending the publication of our Development News Journal, the bi-monthly journal published by the DMG. However, you can visit our website and our social media pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to receive news regarding the current affairs in Arakan State and other unusual news. We will also try our best to present news in real time on our DTV daily news programme.
As you all know mass media is a bridge between citizens and the government. In each and every democratic country, apart from dictatorships, it is crucial to have freedom of expression and press freedom. So, the media is recognized in these countries as the fourth pillar of the country. However, the Myanmar government arrests and punishes journalists and limits publishing journals. So, we would like to point out that such cases grossly signify the support of a bad dictatorial system as well as advancing the aims of a dictatorship rather than working for stability, peace and development of the country.
Thus, we’d like to request the government to stop impeding fundamental rights of freedom of expression, for media to receive and distribute information, imposing news blackouts and taking actions against journalists. These actions are counterproductive and can only steer the nation away from the stability, peace and development people so desperately want and deserve.
Contact -
1. Aung Marm Oo ([email protected])
Editor-in-Chief and Executive Director
2. Eka Rite (094 5182 7252)
Editor- in-Charge
Development Media Group (DMG)
