A report assessing the scorecard on freedom of the press by the current government, says that the current government’s achievements are not very different from the previous one.

PEN Myanmar chair, U Myo Myint Nyein, said “The public chose a new government to get chance at freedom of expression but the end result is no different from the previous government.”

The report assessing the freedom of expression in Myanmar, was launched yesterday at the PEN Myanmar office in Yangon.

In November 2016, PEN Myanmar and six partner groups released a pilot scorecard midway through the National League for Democracy government’s first year.

But the report, when comparing the state of free expression under previous Union Solidarity and Development Party from 2010-2015, indicated that the situation had not improved.

The freedom expression refers to laws and regulations governing media independence and freedom, digital freedom, freedom of assembly, speech and opinion.

It also takes into account the rights to information and safety and security of citizens when exercising their fundamental liberties.

The report was prepared by NGOs, including the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) (Burma), Burma News International (BNI), Equality Myanmar, Myanmar Journalists Association, Myanmar Journalists Union, Myanmar Media Lawyers Network, PEN Myanmar and Yangon Journalism School.

U Myo Myint Nyein said, “We, journalists and NGOs discussed freedom of expression with the previous government and they agreed to transfer more rights and continue the process to the new government. But now, the new government ignored these agreements.”

He also said that like in the past, the media (especially ethnic media), is still facing difficulties when reporting on security matters and there is no digital freedom.

U Myo Myint Nyein said reporters could not ask tough questions or confirm quotes from officials.

“As far as the rights to information are concerned, some officials from ministries are afraid to confirm information as they are unaware that they have authority to release them.

U Myo Myint Nyein said that some answered their questions well “but they requested anonymity because they were afraid of repercussions.”

And on the score card was a review of safety and security measures being undertaken by both the new and previous governments.

According to the score card, both the current and previous governments do not allow local journalists into some conflict zones, especially in the northern and western parts of Myanmar.

As such, the local media has been accused of not giving fair and accurate reports by some international media organisations.

U Zin Lin of the BNI also pointed out that local news agencies and journals are mostly late in reporting because of a lack of support by the government although they help out some international organisations at times.

“There is discrimination against the local media and some important news and information are given only to government newspapers and channels. If we can check who owns the various media organisations in Myanmar we will have a better understanding of the situation,” U Zin Lin said.

U Zaw Moe from AAPP, discussed the changes in the parliament procedure.

He said that during the previous government, NGOs and CSOs were invited to the parliament for discussions and suggestions whenever there were new draft laws. But now, it is rare.

“During the previous government, our group representing political prisoners discussed in parliament on ways to approve new draft laws affecting the group. During the transition period between governments, the parliament agreed to keep the discussions going until the new laws were passed. But now, this has been forgotten,” said U Zaw Moe.