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 ...

Shan alliance start election boycott drive in Thai city

Monday, 18 October 2010 22:46 Jai Wan Mai

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Several Shan community organisations launched a no-vote video campaign against the November 7 Election in Chiang Mai last Friday.

The campaign’s focus is on raising awareness about the polls and pointing out the serious flaws in the 2008 constitution and rights violations inside Shan State. Harley, a Shan artist, also participated in the campaign by doing cartoons that mock the junta’s vote.

The Shan Human Rights Foundation, Shan Women’s Action Network (Swan), Shan Sapawa Environmental Organisation and Shan Youth Power Media collaborated in the protest, which has been included uploaded onto the video-sharing website, YouTube.

In their presentation, the groups said the November 7 election was a sham and would fail to bring about any real change for the people.

One of the Shan campaigners told Mizzima: “People want to see a free and fair election which could bring about positive change for their lives but the upcoming election is just a show.”

In May, the Restoration Council of Shan State, the political wing of the Shan State Army (SSA), released a statement that it would not support nor recognise the 2010 election and its results.

In contrast, Sai Ai Pao, chairman of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party, which plans to take part in the election, told the Irrawaddy Magazine in July that the election was a good opportunity for the people. He said this even though 25 per cent of seats in the states and divisions, and national parliaments are automatically reserved for the military.

Twelve townships in Shan State, including areas controlled by the ethnic armed ceasefire groups, the United Wa State Army and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) or Mongla group, would have not have polling centres because of security concerns, the Burmese junta’s electoral watchdog, the Union Election Commission, said.

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