Journalists in Shan State say they are facing difficulties getting news from parliamentary meetings. 

Khun Yazar, an executive member of the Taunggyi Journalist Association, said that reporters are unable to freely gather news from the state parliament, and must apply for permission to do so. As a result, journalists are unable to write news stories on the happenings and decisions in the legislature. 

“Officials only permit MRTV and Sky Net media outlets. They don’t allow other media to enter the parliament’s meeting hall,” Khun Yazar told SHAN.

Those who wish to apply for permission must give a copy of their national ID card and media ID card. 

“Some journalists cannot enter and cannot get news because they do not apply for permission in advance. Some journalists cannot enter the parliament. Most journalists and watch the TV screen in the media room downstairs of the parliament if they want to report news related to the parliament meeting. Journalists cannot get quality visuals and sound from the TV,” Khun Yazar explained. 

As a member of a journalists’ association, Khun Yazar said he explained these difficulties to the deputy speaker of the Shan State parliament on March 11. 

A reporter, who spoke to SHAN on the condition of anonymity, said that the current restrictions imposed by the National League for Democracy administration in accessing information rival and even surpass those that occurred during the time of the previous government, headed by Thein Sein. Under the previous regime, journalists could access the legislature with only a media ID, they said.

“Even though we are going to parliament, they don’t allow us to enter the parliamentary room,” the individual said. “The sound quality is not good [on the TV we are allowed to watch]. I don’t know whether they want journalists to report their news.”

SHAN called parliamentary officials for comment on the issue but no one had responded at the time of reporting.