Freedom of Press in Myanmar

Proceedings of ‏The 2nd International Conference on Social Sciences in the 21st Century

Year: 2020

DOI:

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Freedom of Press in Myanmar

Dr. May Thuzar Aung

ABSTRACT: 

Every person has to enjoy freedom of express their opinion and information, they also have the duties to refrain affecting the right and reputation of other person. Since it is not an absolute right, the person who practices the right to freedom of press needs to respect the rights and reputations of others. Myanmar guarantees the freedom of expression in the press by Section 354(a) of Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, 2008. However, many people including journalists are arrested and detained under the provisions of existing laws in Myanmar. The objectives of this paper is to analyze the weak points of existing laws relating to freedom of press and to make suggestion in promoting the freedom of press compared with international human rights standards. The paper used qualitative approach comparative legal analysis. Data collection was done mainly through international and domestic legal documents. The analysis showed that some of the provisions of existing laws (for e.g. Section 66(d) of the Telecommunication Law 2013, S.9 (b) of the Media Law 2014, S.3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act 1923 and S.17 (1) and S. 17(2) of the Unlawful Association Act 1908) which has been restricted the freedom of press should be repealed or amended and new laws or provisions in accordance with the international human right standards should be enacted.

Keywords: Expression, Freedom, Journalists, Media and Press.