The Myanmar Media Lawyers’ Network (MMLN) and the Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD) hosted a workshop on 29 November to discuss changes to the country’s broadcasting framework, and how they will impact freedom of expression in the country, according to a statement on 3 December.
The workshop, which was carried out with support from International Media Support (IMS), featured a robust discussion about the country’s new Broadcasting Law and how it measures up against international standards.
“The new Broadcasting Law is a very significant development in terms of democratising the media landscape in Myanmar,” said Toby Mendel, Executive Director of CLD. “It is very good to see that the MMLN is getting involved in this issue, given the centrality of broadcast regulation to a healthy media environment.”
One issue that participants focused on was the National Broadcasting Council, which is tasked with regulating broadcasting. The Broadcasting Law requires the Council to be established by the end of February, after consultations with the public and civil society. MMLN members made a commitment to be actively engaged in the consultation process, once it is announced.
“It is important for the MMLN to make its voice heard as part of the consultation process for selecting National Broadcasting Council members,” said Than Zaw, Secretary of the Myanmar Media Lawyers’ Network. “We will be following the situation closely and will do what we can to ensure that competent and independent members are appointed.”
In addition to MMLN and CLD speakers, the workshop featured a presentation from U Hein Lat, General Manager for Programming at SkyNet, one of Myanmar’s biggest broadcasters. The event was the latest in a series of workshops that the MMLN and CLD have held for lawyers in 2015.
