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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Passports seized; Burmese performers postpone Japan trip

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Monday, 25 January 2010 23:09 Sai Zom Sai

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – A traditional light dance troupe, known as ‘Ahnyeint’ in Burmese, led by popular comedian ‘Myatta’ were forced to postpone their visit to Japan after their passports were seized at the airport.

The ‘Tokyo Sakura Happy Ahnyeint’, who are scheduled to perform in Tokyo, have to postpone their trip as officials seized their passports when they arrived at the Minglardon International airport in Rangoon for departure on January 22.

“We are not sure when we can rescheduled for the performance. We have not yet cancelled the show and tickets can be refunded at the ticket counters where they have bought,” an organizer in Japan told Mizzima.

The group obtained visas from the Japanese embassy in Rangoon but the Immigration Department authorities seized their passports while they were filling up their ‘Departure Form’ (D Form) at the airport, Myatta said.

“We were taken to their office and told that they had to seize our passports as our visit to Japan was deemed unfit. We said that we would only go if authorities permit us, and would not go if they think it is not good,” he added.

But a lead comedian for the ‘Thee Lay Thee’ Ahnyeint troupe, Godzilla, who is in exiled, thinks that the government had purposely blocked Myatta’s troupe as they are afraid of being criticized by the comedians during the performance.

“The comedians are the voice of the common people. The government is afraid that these comedians would reveal their ugly faces,” he added.

‘Ahnyeint’ combines dances and performances including songs and dramas or short skids by a group of people, known as comedians or ‘clowns’, who also uses satirical dialogues that often mocks at government administration systems.

Organizers said it took them nearly a year to arrange for the performance and pledged that they would strive to make it happen but said they are sorry to their audiences for the current inconveniences.

With Japanese translation arranged, audiences including Japanese are keenly awaiting for the performance. A ticket for the show is being sold out at Yen 4,500, organisers said.

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