Enhancing voice and accountability

Enhancing voice and accountability

by DIPD on April 6, 2016

In the new political landscape emerging in Myanmar after the watershed 2015 parliamentary elections and the formation of a new government, DIPD recognises that both parties and the media will have a prominent role going forward. In particular, DIPD supports parties and the media to increase the visibility of citizen voices and promote the accountability of government.

To promote these objectives, DIPD collaborated with the Myanmar Journalism Institute to organise a seminar entitled “Voice and Accountability: How Media and Parties Can Cooperate to Promote Democratic Dialogue” on 29th-30th March in Yangon. At this seminar, representatives of 37 parties and 18 media houses and organizations discussed how they could work together as two of the pillars of democracy to enhance accountability of government and give greater opportunity to make citizen voices heard.

Both parties and the media appreciated that without each other the 2015 elections would not have been a success. Party representatives and journalists also indicated that both the media and the parties are still learning how to operate in an increasingly open and democratic environment.

Daw Aye Nu Sein, Chairwoman of Arakan National Party

The participants discussed how cooperation and dialogue can help the media and the parties work together in a more constructive way. U Thiha Saw, Executive Director of the Myanmar Journalism Institute, emphasised that if parties understand the context in which the media operates and the rules by which they operate, they will be able to provide more relevant and meaningful news to media houses. U Aung Shin of the National League for Democracy indicated that the NLD intends to pursue legal reform to establish a better environment for the media and also consider how the government can empower community media. Ma Thida Sanchaung, a leading writer and supporter of media freedom, proposed that parties and the media can collaborate to advocate for the freedom of information and the right to know, which will be the foundation for good governance in the future. U Nan Ri of Kayan National Party indicated that capacity development support for the parties’ public relations departments can help parties communicate more effectively with the media.

During the course of the two-day event, leading figures from parties, the media, and civil society inspired parties and the media to consider how they can cooperate to enhance citizen voice and government accountability. While both the media and parties recognised that the challenges ahead remain considerable, they were optimistic that they can make a significant contribution to an accountable and responsive government that improves the lives of the citizens of Myanmar.

Participants at the Voice & Accountability Seminar

From: Myanmar, News and updates