Myanmar exec lauds ‘effective’ functions of PCOO agencies

During the visit at the PNA office, Myint took interest in the whole reporting and editing process of the state newswire service. (PNA Photo)

MANILA — The chief of Myanmar’s Ministry of Information on Saturday lauded the “effective” functions of state-run media organizations in the Philippines.

“I see some new things which we are to think over whether we’d like to adopt for our present functions,” Information Minister Pe Myint told reporters at the sidelines of his media tour at the offices of the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), People’s Television Network (PTV), and Radyo Pilipinas.

During the visit at the PNA office, Myint took interest in the whole reporting and editing process of the state newswire service.

He also spent time delving into the mandate of the PIA as well on its role in ensuring accurate information are delivered nationwide down the grassroots level through regional offices.

“We also have one department where we get information (and disseminate) similar to these but not doing the same things but I see some more effective functions here,” he said.

In terms of news and information, Myint described the Philippines is “much forward” and “advanced.”

During the visit at the PTV studio, Myint expressed intent to return. The delegation, led by Myint, were evidently impressed by the facilities and technology of the nation’s official TV station.

“We are just looking around seeing things, when we’d like to modify our structures it can may be plausible for technology transfer,” he said. For the past few years, PTV has been subject to the modernization program of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).

‘Countering disinformation’

Following the signing of the Philippines-Myanmar memorandum of understanding (MOU) on media cooperation, Myint also noted the two nations’ potentials in combating disinformation and preventing it from spilling outside its country of origin.

“We both have some problems in fake news so you can respond to fake news and you can send us the correct ones and we will send it to areas in Myanmar, the same thing would apply to us,” he said.

Myint confirmed that both him and PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar agreed to appoint a focal person from Manila and Naypyidaw who can contact each other as well as facilitate news and content exchange.

The group capped their media tour visiting the headquarters of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

Part of Myanmar’s delegation were Myanmar Radio and Television Director U Ze Yar, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Information Myint Kyaw, and Minister Counsellor Tin Zaw of the Myanmar Embassy in Manila.

Joining them were PCOO Undersecretary Rocky Ignacio, PTV news head Edgar Reyes, News and Information Bureau Director Gigie Arcilla-Agtay, and PIA Director-General Harold Clavite and MTRCB Board Member Avelino Andal.