May 17

MEDIA is the eyes and ears of the people. Media has an authentic duty to show off the reality of everything to the people. In turn, people have to analyze the presentation of media depending on every event whether it is useful for society, whether it is a great lesson for all, whether it may be historical evidence and so on.

Now is an important time for all Myanmar citizens. Everybody wishes to know updated news on Storm Mocha. As such, not only the State-owned media but also the private-run ones have to dutifully inform the people about follow-up news about the storm on time. Only then, they can be identified as dutiful media. Moreover, their endeavours will be their milestones as well as historical remarks of the reader people.

Every kind of media needs to continuously express the proceedings of the cyclone one after another. The sequences of news must comprise preparations against the disasters, moves of the storm along its expected route, loss and damage in the storm-hit areas, and endeavours of officials, service personnel and volunteers in search, rescue and relief measures as much as possible.

Any media organizations need to show off disaster news from various townships across the nation and various sources including Tatmadaw regiments and units, the Information and Public Relations Department, the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology and own correspondents as well as new agencies.

Television and radio channels need to release breaking news on storm-hit events. If necessary, they have to present such information items once every two hours. If so, the people will have updated information to lessen their worries.

It is no reason to leave the storm-hit information. If not, the media will never win the trust of readers. Only when all media have to present disaster news in time with documentary photos to the readers can they ease tension about currently happened disasters. Hence, storm-hit information must be followed by searching, rescue and relief works. Afterwards, rehabilitation, resettlement and reconstruction measures for the disaster-affected people must be follow-up news.

The nature of media personnel does not be similar to those of any profession. Media personnel are moving from one place to another as well as touching one event to another without breaking time. They use their critical thinking, rationality, analysis, attitude, and physical and mental power to create an item of news for the people. But, they love their jobs. So, they always pour out energetic efforts for the sake of the people.