DVB Reporter Inciting Racism

M.S. Anwar 

RB Analysis
February 28, 2013

Respect for truth and for the right of the public to truth is the first duty of the journalist 

1. The journalist shall regard as grave professional offenses the following: plagiarism; malicious misinterpretation; calumny; libel; slander; unfounded accusations; acceptance of a bribe in any form in consideration of either publication or suppression. 

2. Journalists worthy of the name shall deem it their duty to observe faithfully the principles stated above. Within the general law of each country the journalist shall recognise in matters of professional matters the jurisdiction of colleagues only, to the exclusion of any kind of interference by governments or others. (International Federation of Journalists and more codes of conducts for journalists here: http://www.ifj.org/en/pages/journalism-ethics) 

Recently, a reporter of Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) called Ant Phone Myint has violated all the ethics and codes of conducts of a journalist by making a discriminatory and inflammatory video interview. He is using DVB to spread his own anti-Rohingya propaganda and racism. He blatantly accuses that there is no Rohingya in Burma. 

Besides, he is said to have been making one-sided reports and interviews. He is rather taking side of the oppressors. Now, he as well as DEMOCRATIC Voice of Burma will have to answer for if there are any negative consequences. His recent video interview and the detailed translation of the video are attached below.

DVB Reporter Preaching Racism and Dr. Aye Maung Taking The Law In His Hands 

The Translation of the Video Released by DVB (http://on.fb.me/Wi4Fim) 

00:02-00:05 (Reporter) Regarding The Ongoing Disputes On The Citizenships Of Some MPs And The Rights For Their Participations In The Election 

00:06-00:09 Though More Than 1% Of Voters From Their Respective Constituencies 

00:10-00:16 Demanded The Election Commission And The Parliament For Investigation, 

00:17-00:22 There Are Failures From The Side Of Immigration Ministry To Carry Out Their Tasks. 

00:23-00:30 (Dr. Aye Maung) Whether These People Are The Citizens Or Not, It Can Be Investigated By The Immigration Department Formed By The Central Government. 

00:31-00:35 If They Can’t Do It, Then Why Didn’t The Immigration Department Investigate? 

00:36-00:39 When We Investigate Into The Biographies Of These People, 

00:40-00:42 Only One Person Is With “Naing” Citizenship. 

00:42-00:49 It Can Be “11 Or 12” Followed By “Stroke, Symbol Of The Residing Township, Naing And Six Numbers” Respectively. 

00:49-00:51 However, Neither His Elder Brother Nor His Younger One Has That Citizenship. 

00:52-00:55 Despite His Parents Not Having That Citizenship, 

00:55-00:59 Why Is He Having A “Naing” Citizenship? 

00:59-01:02 What Kind Of Bribe Has He Given To Get The Citizenship? 

01:03-01:07 Or Is His Family Tree Actually Having at Immigration Department? 

01:07-01:11 It Is The Responsibility Of The Government And Immigration Department To Investigate Into All These. 

01:12-01:25 (Reporter) Therefore, It Is Necessary To Form An Investigation Team To Investigate Into The Details Of These MPs At A High Political Stage Now And Their Rights To Citizenship And Participate In The Election. 

01:26-01:31 Besides, Depending On The Findings From The Investigation And According To The Acts Of In-Effect 1982 Citizenship Law, 

01:32-01:38 There Are Demands To Effectively Punish Them And Also To Extend Its Term Of Imprisonments And Increase Its Cash Penalties. 

01:38-01:40 (Dr. Aye Maung) It Will Be OK It Can Be Done. 

01:40-01:48 In The 1982 Citizenship Law, There Are Punishments To Those Who Take Bribe To Issue Citizenship And Give Bribe To Get Citizenship. 

01:49-01:52 Yet, It Is Necessary To Increase The Punishments For Effectiveness. 

01:53-02:02 If The Bribe Givers Are Fined With Around A Million Kyat Each, They Will Not Be Doing This. 

02:03-02:16 If The Bribe Takers Are Fined With Around 20 Million Kyat And Given Around 11-Year Imprisonments, We Can Stop The Illegal Issuing Of The Citizenship. 

02:17-02:29 (Reporter) At The Moment, Some MPs, From The Ruling Party USDP Elected In 2010 Election Representing A Non-Existing Race In Myanmar, Are Widely Talking To The Media In Home And Abroad. 

02:30-02:33 Though The Voters Have Submitted A Proposal To The Parliament To Review The Matter According To The Law, 

02:33-02:36 The Committee Of The Parliament Are Unable To Give Any Decision. 

02:36-02:40 Besides, There Are Wide Criticisms Against The Union Government For Not Giving Any Decision Either On That. 

02:41-02:42 And I Am Ant Phone Myint.