• Burmese
Saturday, July 12, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
26 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Myanmar ‘Has No Fourth Estate’, Mandalay Chief Minister Says of Media’s Role

Zarni Mann by Zarni Mann
August 23, 2019
in Burma
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
Mandalay Chief Minister U Zaw Myint Maung talks to journalists after a meeting to discuss the ‘four pillars’ of democracy in Mandalay on Friday. / The Irrawaddy

Mandalay Chief Minister U Zaw Myint Maung talks to journalists after a meeting to discuss the ‘four pillars’ of democracy in Mandalay on Friday. / The Irrawaddy

6.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

MANDALAY—In an apparent snub to Myanmar’s media, the chief minister of Mandalay Region said on Friday that he only knew of three pillars of democracy—the legislature, the administrative branch and the judiciary—prompting criticism from the country’s media organizations.

The news media are often collectively referred to as the “Fourth Estate” for their critical role in monitoring the political process.

Chief Minister U Zaw Myint Maung made the remarks while attending a meeting organized by the Myanmar Press Council in Mandalay on Friday. The event focused on ways to improve cooperation between the media and the administrative, judicial and legislative branches of government.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar Junta Chief Thanks Trump for Shutting Down VOA and RFA

Myanmar Junta Chief Thanks Trump for Shutting Down VOA and RFA

July 11, 2025
239
37 Years and Counting: Why Has Myanmar’s Democracy Struggle Taken So Long?

37 Years and Counting: Why Has Myanmar’s Democracy Struggle Taken So Long?

July 3, 2025
1.4k
Timeline: Key Events in the Life of Myanmar’s Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

Updated Timeline: Key Events in the Life of Myanmar’s Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

June 17, 2025
6.4k

Speaking to journalists after the morning session of the event, however, the chief minister said there are only three pillars in the country’s Constitution.

“I want the media to be the fourth pillar. But I have to question if the media in Myanmar now are worthy of being the fourth pillar? In the Constitution, there are only three pillars—legislative, administrative and judicial,” U Zaw Myint Maung said.

He said the concept of the fourth pillar of democracy is derived from the international community, and insisted there was no such fourth pillar in Myanmar.

“Internationally, journalists describe the media as the fourth pillar. Some even say the media is the fifth pillar, but [Burmese Journalists] describe themselves as the fourth pillar. But who’s to say whether the media in Myanmar have become the fourth pillar?” the chief minister said.

He said he respected journalists’ right to information, their right to publish that information, and their right to safety, but added that they need to work ethically. It is important that the facts and information they publish is genuine, he said. He also lectured journalists on the need not to color news stories with their opinions, while condemning what he said was a lack of professionalism on the part of some journalists.

“The media and journalists have ethics. We accept their right to information. There is also [a concern for the] safety of journalists, and we understand that. But the journalists need to follow ethics. The news and the headlines should not mislead readers; the media must report fair and unbiased news,” he added.

The chief minister’s refusal to acknowledge the media’s role as the fourth pillar of democracy put him at odds with his boss, President U Win Myint, who in his inauguration speech in 2018 urged the public to take the role of the media sector seriously, describing the media as the eyes and ears of the people.

The Upper Myanmar Journalists Organization (UMJO) said it was saddened by the chief minister’s comments, and voiced concerns that they would increase restrictions on freedom of press.

“The words of the chief minister, who is also one of the top leaders of the ruling party, could distort the people’s view of the press. Moreover, freedom of the press will be affected as a consequence, impacting the democratization of the country,” said Ko Naing Lin Oo, a member of the Mandalay-based UMJO.

“Moreover, he just came to give a speech and left; he did not take time to listen to journalists’ comments. We are afraid our message to create better cooperation between journalists and the other three pillars did not get through,” he said.

Friday’s event was intended to discuss ways of improving cooperation between each of the four pillars of democracy.

Ko Kyaw Zwa Min, the secretary of the Myanmar Press Council (MPC), which organized the meeting, said the chief minister’s comments showed that he is not very familiar with the media, or the Media Law.

“His comments clearly show that he is not familiar with the media. One provision of the Media Law, which was enacted by the Union Parliament, states that the media stands as the Fourth Estate of democracy,” Ko Kyaw Zwa Min said.

“Though he said there’s no fourth pillar in the country, we will not stop what we are doing [to promote] freedom of the press, the right to information and the safety of journalists,” he said.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: chief ministerConstitutionDemocracyFourth EstateFourth PillarJournalistsMediaMedia LawPress Freedom
Zarni Mann

Zarni Mann

The Irrawaddy

Similar Picks:

Restoring Ancient City as Regime Crumbles; Building a Mutiny; and More
Junta Watch

Restoring Ancient City as Regime Crumbles; Building a Mutiny; and More

by The Irrawaddy
August 31, 2024
9.5k

conscription shock for older men, more journos punished with jail, and dictator’s reassurance rings hollow as resistance advances.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta’s Yangon Economics Minister was Friends with Assassin Conspirator 
Burma

Myanmar Junta’s Yangon Economics Minister was Friends with Assassin Conspirator 

by The Irrawaddy
September 28, 2022
18.5k

Lieutenant Colonel Myo Myint Aung has been appointed to run Yangon’s economy, despite having a military background.

Read moreDetails
Kyal Sin before she was shot dead by security forces (left); Tens of thousands mourned at her funeral (right).
Stories That Shaped Us

Military Regime Can’t Defeat Myanmar’s Brave Hearts

by Kyaw Zwa Moe
March 5, 2021
19k

The young protesters’ determination to defeat the regime is summed up in their motto: ‘They Die, or They Die!’

Read moreDetails
Elon Musk Calls for Closure of Radio Free Europe, Voice of America
World

Elon Musk Calls for Closure of Radio Free Europe, Voice of America

by Naung Naung
February 10, 2025
7.1k

The billionaire’s call to shut down the US-funded media organizations, which reach hundreds of millions of people globally, follows his...

Read moreDetails
The First Chin-Written Constitution: A New Template For Self-Determination?
Guest Column

The First Chin-Written Constitution: A New Template For Self-Determination?

by June N.S
December 26, 2023
6.8k

The new Chinland charter authorizes a national flag and army, three branches of government and a council tasked with ensuring...

Read moreDetails
KIA Seizes Three Key Myanmar Junta Outposts
Ethnic Issues

KIA Seizes Three Key Myanmar Junta Outposts

by Hein Htoo Zan
August 8, 2023
5.9k

The Kachin Independence Army said it has overrun two regime strongholds and one held by its Shan Nationalities Army allies.

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Officials wait for the return of displaced persons from Bangladesh at Taung Pyo Letwe center on Aug 22, 2019. / Myanmar Ministry of Information

It Takes Two to Tango

In Dateline Irrawaddy this week we discuss fighting in Shan State and the recent attacks that set it off, the future of peace talks, and the role of China.

On the Armed Conflict in Northern Myanmar

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

‘Reforms Are Not Optional’: Prominent Activist Urges NUG to Act Before It’s Too Late

‘Reforms Are Not Optional’: Prominent Activist Urges NUG to Act Before It’s Too Late

2 days ago
984
Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

2 days ago
982

Most Read

  • Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

    Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Deploying Conscripts in Major Push to Reclaim Lost Territory

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Two Prominent Myanmar Ex-Political Prisoners Die Hours Apart in Yangon

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Junta Bombing of Resistance-Held Areas in Mandalay, Karenni Kills Seven Civilians

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • KIA Denies Rumor Chief Under House Arrest in China

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.