The second Southern Myanmar Journalists’ Network (SMJN) Conference was held in Dawei, the Tenasserim Region capital, on March 19 and 20.
SMJN members are journalists from Mon and Karen states and Tenasserim Region in southern Myanmar.
U Tint Lwin the SMJN Liaison Officer said that the aim of the conference was to improve journalism and build stronger networking ties between local media in the region.
Tenasserim Region Hluttaw (parliament) Speaker U Khin Maung Aye, speaking at the event, said: “It is the media’s duty to deliver up-to-date information from the Hluttaw and administrative sectors to the public and make it understandable for them.”
He also said that the media needs to deliver balanced information to the public.
The Myanmar Journalists Network Secretary U Zeyar Hlaing said: “The establishment of such media organisations was not allowed in the past. The previous government prohibited it. We welcome the establishment of such media organisations. It is good because I believe it is better for [journalist] rights and improves the quality of journalism.”
At the conference news articles written by SMJN journalists were selected for awards to encourage journalists to work to high standards.
Courtesy of Burma News International