Burmese in Toronto Protest Media 'Misinformation Campaign'

By Lalit K Jha 3 September 2012

WASHINGTON—Expressing shock over false allegations, fake pictures and insulting slogans in recent pro-Rohingya protests, members of the Burmese community in Canada on Saturday held a peaceful protest in Toronto against what many of its members said was a “misinformation campaign” regarding recent sectarian violence in Arakan State.

The protesters urged the national media to carefully examine information, materials and stories distributed by some interest groups which, they said, are trying to tarnish the image of the Burmese community in general and the Buddhist Burmese community in particular.

“We don’t want the conflict extended further and want all parties concerned to find a viable solution here both in Canada and Burma,” said Tin Maung Htoo of the Canadian Friends of Burma NGO following the protest in front of the Toronto Star office.

He told The Irrawaddy that the media play a large role in the understanding of the conflict and the issue, and that they should be careful before taking information to the the public.

He added that the protest was addressed to, among others, Jim Karygiannis, a Canadian Liberal MP and interim chairman of the Parliamentary Friends of Burma.

“Members of the Burmese community are shocked by false allegations, fake pictures and insulting slogans in recent pro-Rohingya protests in Toronto, for such careless, random and inconsiderate attempts willy-nilly tarnish the image of Burmese community in general and Buddhist Burmese community in particular,” said a letter submitted by the Burmese Community in Toronto to the Toronto Star.