Mizzima awarded global JTI certificate for reliable news on Myanmar

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Mizzima Mizzima, one of Myanmar ’s most prominent news outlets and a press freedom advocate, obtained the Journalism Trust Initiative ( JTI ) certification from global audit firm Bureau Veritas , JTI says in a press statement 5 January.  Operating in clandestine mode within Myanmar and supported by an exiled team, Mizzima strives to fulfil its role as reliable source of news and information for the Myanmar public. “Your Journalism Trust Initiative certification affirms what audiences already know: that principled, transparent journalism matters. Congratulations on this achievement and on your continued contribution to informing citizens about Myanmar,” says Benjamin Sabbah , director of Journalism Trust Initiative “Myanmar’s ongoing conflict has created an intensely contested media landscape, where mis- and disinformation are increasingly deployed to reinforce state propaganda and the prevailing “official” narrative. Although Mizzima is already regarded as one of the most trusted ...
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Municipality files case against free funeral service association

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by Mizzima News
Friday, 30 October 2009 13:02

New Delhi (Mizzima) – The Rangoon Division, North Dagon Township City Development Committee (Municipal) has filed a case against the Free Funeral Service Association yesterday for using a building not yet authorized by the civic body.

The municipality indicted the Association for using the unauthorized building after it did not abide by the instruction to arrange for drainage in front of the building.

“They did not give permission to use the building for our refusal to dig a 5’x5’ drain in front of our office’s brick fence. Now they have filed a case against us for using an unauthorized building,” Association Chairman actor Kyaw Thu told Mizzima.

The township civic body sent a letter to the Association informing that it would file a case against them. After Kyaw Thu replied telling them that they should file case against the organization, the civic body filed a case against the Association yesterday.

Kyaw Thu did not appear before the South Dagon Township court yesterday but sent the Association Manager instead.

An official from the North Dagon Township municipal office confirmed filing a case against the Association but he declined to give further details.

Explaining why they didn’t abide by the civic body’s instruction, Chairman Kyaw Thu, said “They directed us to dig the drain but not our adjacent plots. If the adjacent plots do not have the drainage, it will be like a reservoir and will become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. This will be hazardous for our patients”. Currently the waste water is drained to the rear of the Nga Mo Yeik creek.

Rangoon Free Funeral Service Association office and ‘Thu Kha’ free medical care service are being run at this Kyat 200 million building and providing free medical care to about 150 to 200 patients daily.

The free clinic is providing free treatment to all patients seven days a week with Eye, Orthopaedic, Obstetrician and Gynaecology, Paediatric volunteer specialists and volunteer nurses. The X-ray laboratory also provides free service for patients. The association has 16 hearses and provides free funeral service for 50 bodies daily.

The township civic body offered further permission for construction of the X-ray laboratory and other buildings if they agreed to arrange for drainage, Kyaw Thu said.

The civic body tried to indict them while the association was awaiting permission to use the newly constructed building after the municipality photographed it. If the court accepts the case, the free funeral service and free clinic are likely to be suspended.

“I have no idea about the case. If the court directs us to close, we have to close all our free services including the clinic. I may have to go to prison. We have done everything we could but the latest directive is a load of nonsense,” Kyaw Thu said.

The Free Funeral Service Association was established in January 2001 by Kyaw Thu and like-minded well-wishers. Later they expanded their service to a free clinic. They provide free funeral service irrespective of people’s social status.

Initially, they operated the service at the Brahma Vihara monastery in Thingangyun Township. It was shifted to the new location in North Dagon Township on 19 July (Martyr’s Day) this year.

The Kyauktada Township city development committee instructed them to move all their hearses to the ‘Yeway’ cemetery in North Okkalapa from Thingangyun Township in February this year. So they had to open their branch office at this cemetery and shift all hearses.

(Reported by Salai Han Thar San and edited by Ye Yint Aung)

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