PH, Myanmar ink MOU on media cooperation, info sharing

PH, MYANMAR SIGN MOU ON COMMUNICATION. Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar and Union Minister Pe Myint of the Myanmar Ministry of Information shake hands after the signing of a memorandum of understanding on media cooperation in Malacanang on Friday (Jan. 25, 2019). (PNA photo by Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

MANILA — The Philippine and Myanmarese governments on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish stronger mechanisms for information sharing and media cooperation.

Signing the document in Malacañang were Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar for the Philippines and Union Minister Pe Myint for Myanmar’s Ministry of Information.

During the occasion, Myint said the signing signifies strengthened communication between the two states and the creation of more avenues to improve Myanmar-Philippines ties.

“From now on, we can continue to discuss concrete measures that we can come up to improve our partnership,” he said.

With the MOU, Andanar said he is optimistic that both countries can further promote their culture, arts, education, tourism or “anything that will benefit the two states” through information sharing.

“We could now send our media workers there, materials in Myanmar to be aired, and we can now cooperate in battling fake news,” he told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Provisions of the MOU allow the exchange of news and information materials, films, and radio and television reports to help expand the content of Manila and Naypyidaw’s respective state-run media organizations.

Among others, it paves way for the creation of a mechanism that can help counter disinformation in both states, such as setting up a hotline that the two ministries can maximize. According to Andanar, this specific mechanism is a “very potent idea” to douse the existence of “fake news”.

Subject to availability of resources, the two nations also seek to conduct exchanges and training among government media personnel.

The MOU is the second of its kind after the original agreement expired during the previous administration. However, Andanar is hopeful the PCOO could fully utilize the new document and send more Filipino press to Myanmar as well as receive from the latter.

“We need this since we are in one region, and at the same time, we are helping our media workers gain exposure,” he said.

The Myanmar delegation, led by Myint, arrived in Manila at about 11 a.m. on Friday. The signing ceremony was followed by a joint meeting for the MOU’s implementation.

On Saturday, the delegation, to be led by Myint, will tour the offices of People’s Television, Radyo Pilipinas, and PNA.

Partnership between the two nations goes beyond being members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Philippines and Myanmar established diplomatic relations in 1956 and have since strived to improve ties in the areas of trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, education, and health.