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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AI urges Int’l donors to pressurize junta

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by Salai Pi Pi

Tuesday, 24 November 2009 15:42

New Delhi (Mizzima) – The Amnesty International on Tuesday urged international donors, meeting in Bangkok this week, to pressurize Burma’s military junta to put a halt to harassment of activists helping survivors of Cyclone Nargis and ensure that sufficient aid reaches the affected.

Benjamin Zawacki, AI’s Southeast Asia Researcher, told Mizzima on Tuesday that Burmese authorities continue to intimidate activists, who are helping survivors of the deadly cyclone, which lashed the country’s Irrawaddy delta in May 2008, leaving more than 140,000 dead and missing.

He said international donors will be holding a meeting of the Tripartite Core Group (TCG), a group formed to spearhead relief and rehabilitation in Burma’s Cyclone devastated delta region, on November 25 in Bangkok to discuss the ongoing post-Nargis relief situation.

“We are urging the donors to apply pressure on the regime to stop arresting political activists involved in Cyclone Nargis relief efforts,” Zawacki said.

The TCG was formed with the United Nations, Burmese government representatives, and representatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and is chaired by Burmese former Deputy Foreign Minister Kyaw Thu.

In October, Burmese military authorities arrested at least 10 political activists and journalists for accepting relief donations from abroad, according to AI’s press release on Tuesday.

“All of them are members of the Shining Star Group [Lin Let Kyae] and were undertaking programmes in Myanmar [Burma] devoted to relief and social activities,” Zawacki said.

The ten arrested political activists were among at least 41 dissidents detained last month as part of a broader crackdown by the Burmese regime and their whereabouts and the charges against them are still unknown, the AI said.

The AI also called on the donor community to continue providing humanitarian assistance to meet the critical needs of survivors.

“More than 18 months after the cyclone, survivors still require critical support from the international community,” said Zawacki.

Extra funding is still required to build new houses, cyclone shelters, for livelihood programmes, water, sanitation and education facilities, and health services for the people in delta areas, AI said.

“[Burmese] authorities are denying Nargis survivors the assistance that they desperately need and have the right to receive,” Zawacki said.

The TCG is set to hold a Post-Nargis Assistance Conference (PONAC) in Bangkok to raise $103 million to address the critical needs of the people in cyclone affected areas.

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