Mizzima awarded global JTI certificate for reliable news on Myanmar

Image
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 ...

Electoral watchdog defines 330 lower-house electorates

Thursday, 12 August 2010 20:32 Mizzima News

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Burmese junta’s electoral watchdog yesterday formally released its list of the 330 lower house constituencies to be contested in the country’s first general elections in 20 years, and each township is represented.

The Union Election Commission (UEC), based in the capital Naypyidaw, announced the list for the lower house yesterday, but it appeared only in today’s state-run daily newspapers. It has not however set the polling date. The latest observer forecast for a poll date is December.

Shan State has the most number of separate electorates on the list with 55 constituencies, Rangoon Division is second at 45, Sagaing has 37 and Mandalay, 36. Kayah (Karenni) and Karen states share the least number with seven each.

Observers believe the polls will be held in December after comments in a speech delivered by junta Livestock Breeding and Fisheries Minister Maung Maung Thein at a seminar held at the Fisheries’ Department offices in which he said it would be “the busiest month”. The last forecast based on public opinion was on the “three-10 date”, October 10, 2010.

The list of constituencies for the upper house (National Assembly) and States and Regions Assembly (State Assembly) will also be printed in state-run daily papers in coming days.

Sources told Mizzima that the UEC, which critics commonly regarded as a “puppet organisation” of the junta, was conducting training for district- and township-level poll-booth officials. But public awareness campaigns and voter education on the methods, rules and regulations governing the polls were still weak, which left such work to political parties.

People’s Assembly (Lower House) constituencies
1. Kachin State – 18
2. Kayah (Karenni) State – 7
3. Karen State – 7
4. Chin State – 9
5. Sagaing Division – 37
6. Tanintharyyi Division – 10
7. Pegu Division – 28
8. Magway Division – 25
9. Mandalay Division – 36
10. Mon State – 10
11. Rakhine State – 17
12. Rangoon Division – 45
13. Shan State – 55
14. Irrawaddy Division – 26

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

World's longest internet shutdown ends in parts of Myanmar

First ministerial meeting held

Indonesia detains British woman on terror suspect list