11 February

Deputy Minister for Information U Aung Hla Tun stressed the need for continuous efforts to put the 28-year-old Information and Public Relations Department in a strong position in the country. 

Speaking at the IPRD annual meeting in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, the minister said correct decisions must be made for future tasks after reviewing the accomplishments of the previous year. 

“It is important to take into account the requirements of the changing era,” he said.

“The IPRD must coordinate with local authorities, government departments, partner organizations, civil society groups, and internal and external NGOs to make community centres really useful for the public,” he said.

“If possible, the centres must be equipped with fitness gear and accessories,” he added.

The Deputy Minister spoke of the need to systematically maintain libraries, to compile and dispatch local news for public consumption in accord with media ethics, to express the public’s voice at community talks, to conduct staff efficiency promotion courses, and to open multiplier courses for the spread of media and information literacy.

Director-General U Ye Naing of IPRD presented the department’s accomplishments within a one-year period, advantages and weaknesses, and future work programs. He also looked into the requirements presented by heads of state and region offices.

The Deputy Minister made the concluding remarks.—MNA 
(Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)