- Conflict escalates as junta defends last remaining position in Maungdaw
- Regime flexes military muscle on Ayeyarwady-Arakan border as AA closes in
- Junta chief blames anti-regime forces for people's sufferings
- Three injured in regime airstrike on Taungup Twsp village
- Child casualties rise in Arakan State due to regime airstrikes
Background of DMG
Development Media Group (DMG) was founded on the Thai-Myanmar border on 9 January 2012, in accordance with the current requirements of Arakan (Rakhine) State, by both residents inside the country, and former residents now in exile, who see value in meaningful quality media and applying news media as a powerful resource for regional stability, peace-making, and holistic and sustainable development.
Furthermore, the Development News Bulletin (from January to March 2012) continuing as the Development Newsletter (from April to June 2012) were published monthly in the city of Mae Sot on the Thai-Myanmar border. In that same year, the publications continued as the Development News Journal, which was released monthly, both inside and outside Myanmar, until December 2013.
In December 2014, the journal was officially registered in Myanmar and, twice a month published both internally and externally, from our bases in Yangon and Sittwe, up to September 2016. However, the publication was suspended due to financial difficulties in October 2016.
Our efforts were then concentrated on the DTV News Television programme beginning in January 2017. We then started republishing the Development News Journal in March 2018 and in July 2019, we temporarily suspended publication of the journal due to the delay of issuing the publishing license by the Patent Rights and Registration Branch from the Department of Information and Public Relations under the Ministry of Information.
The www.dmediag.com is the English version website and www.dmgburmese.com is the Burmese version website of DMG.
Editorial Policy/ Editor’s Perspective
Our news agency is committed to disseminating news, photos, data and documentaries in a professional and respectful manner in accordance with media ethics, avoiding any conflicts, controversy, and disrespect, in terms of political, racial, religious, cultural, traditional, historical, social viewpoints or beliefs, with regards to accurate and truthful news coverage. Unbiased news that adversely affects our character and reputation will not be tolerated. Only then, will the public gain faith in our news agency, and the government will show its approval and patronage. In addition, respect and acknowledgement from the international community will also be supportive.
Vision
To be a free, independent and impartial media organization for regional peace and stability, and holistic and sustainable development, in all areas of news broadcasting and television programmes concerning Arakan’s affairs.
Mission
In addition to presenting news focusing on political, environmental, economic and social conditions and the preservation of cultural history, we envision creating a society grounded in human rights, equality and justice, and we profoundly believe in the power of media, and its ability to inform the general public which is needed for the lasting peace and all-around development of the entire State of Arakan (Rakhine).
Objectives
- To make information on the issues of Arakan known to people, especially those which successive governments and mainstream media have been neglecting for years
- To help our media sector keep abreast of mainstream and international media trends and attitudes
- To assist state and central governments, including those of other nationalities of Myanmar, in realizing the everyday issues and concerns of Arakanese people, and to provide much needed support
- To give timely attention to the people of Arakan and Myanmar, and the international community, as to the circumstances and violations of the rights of Arakanese people, and as well, to the potential of environmental destruction under the guise of development and modernization.
- To closely monitor development measures of the state and union governments, and with regards to Arakan State, to report necessary and relevant conditions to the public
- To raise the socio-economic status of Arakan’s most disadvantaged and afflicted communities, and to report timely news on current situations certain communities are dealing with
- To change the perspective of, and lead to the constructive opinions of, the international community regarding the people of Arakan (Rakhine) concerning the Muslim conflicts/issues, with the benefits of renewed humanitarian assistance
- To report with checks and balances on the sensitive issues of Muslims, and Arakan’s national politics, by the news media
- To promote the involvement of women in the development of Arakan’s media and culture
Plans of Action
- Striving constantly to enhance the national-level news media sector via capacity building.
- Imparting knowledge to people by publishing newspapers, journals, still photos and audio-visual documentaries
- Uncovering, discovering and interpreting cultural and historical ruins, artifacts and icons
- Making people aware of the importance and value of media, and how to understand it in an objective and nonpartisan manner
- Organizing educative programmes from the media’s perspective utilizing the data and information available
- Organizing media roundtable discussions and debates inviting experts from different levels and fields (political, economic, social experts, experts from government departments, and so on) in relation to current situations (i.e. regional peace, stability and development) of Arakan
- To build on our efforts to prevent racial and religious conflicts and/or discrimination and to bring about peace, stability and sustainable development
- Working hard to build up a database in respect to Arakan’s affairs (i.e. socio-economy, natural environment, peace restoration, development, etc.)
21 Mar 2018