Myanmar military to take stronger action against libelous act

Tatmadaw promises stronger penalties for ‘libelous’ stories

A spokesperson for the Myanmar’s armed forces, also called Tatmadaw, has said that the institution is willing to take stronger action against libelous act towards the army. At a press conference in Nay Pyi Taw, Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, made the remarks while answering a question related to the recent decision to sue The Irrawaddy for an article about fighting close to Mrauk U in Rakhine State. “If they cursed you, your father, your mother and all generations of your family, and would compensate you only K300,000, would that be OK with you?” he was quoted as saying in the Myanmar Times. The Tatmadaw recently opened a case against The Irrawaddy under section 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law for an article about fighting with the Arakan Army (AA). It heightened concerns about a further backwards step for press freedom in Myanmar. “I don’t say reporters have to write what we say, but it needs to be fair,” Zaw Min Tun said. U Myint Kyaw, a member of the Myanmar Press Council, criticized the announcement, saying it would make members of the media “more afraid” in their reporting.

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