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Burmese reporters expelled from parliament for recording MPs sleeping Burmese reporters expelled from parliament for recording MPs sleeping
(35 minutes later)
Journalists are negotiating with Burmese officials to regain access to the parliament chamber after pictures of sleeping MPs were published online.Journalists are negotiating with Burmese officials to regain access to the parliament chamber after pictures of sleeping MPs were published online.
One image appeared to show an army representative leaning over to press a voting button for an absent MPOne image appeared to show an army representative leaning over to press a voting button for an absent MP
Reporters in the capital, Naypyitaw, were told on Tuesday they would have to watch proceedings on TV from the corridor. The pictures of sleeping MPs was the main reason cited by Kyaw Soe, director general of the Union Parliament, which handles administrative duties.Reporters in the capital, Naypyitaw, were told on Tuesday they would have to watch proceedings on TV from the corridor. The pictures of sleeping MPs was the main reason cited by Kyaw Soe, director general of the Union Parliament, which handles administrative duties.
Other pictures have circulated showing lawmakers using iPads while in session. Another appeared to show an army representative leaning over to press a voting button for an absent MP. Other pictures have circulated showing legislators using iPads while in session. Another appeared to show an army representative leaning over to press a voting button for an absent MP.
In a minor victory, the journalists were told they could occupy the upper floor of the chamber, but they were continuing to negotiate Thursday evening.In a minor victory, the journalists were told they could occupy the upper floor of the chamber, but they were continuing to negotiate Thursday evening.
Related: Burmese journalists protest against reporter's jail termRelated: Burmese journalists protest against reporter's jail term
While the new location could be sufficient for text reporters, it would give video journalists and photographers only a distant view of the MPs. Officials offered to provide handout images instead, but independent media outlets consider that unacceptable.While the new location could be sufficient for text reporters, it would give video journalists and photographers only a distant view of the MPs. Officials offered to provide handout images instead, but independent media outlets consider that unacceptable.
“The restriction is totally unacceptable. Press freedom is not guaranteed in the country but only in the hands of those in power. They can revoke press freedom any time they like,” Zaw Thet Htway, a former political prisoner and editor of Tomorrow, a weekly journal.“The restriction is totally unacceptable. Press freedom is not guaranteed in the country but only in the hands of those in power. They can revoke press freedom any time they like,” Zaw Thet Htway, a former political prisoner and editor of Tomorrow, a weekly journal.
Burma started moving from a half-century of military rule to democracy in 2011 but many of its political reforms, such as media freedom, have stalled. About 10 journalists have been jailed and nearly a dozen are facing trials.Burma started moving from a half-century of military rule to democracy in 2011 but many of its political reforms, such as media freedom, have stalled. About 10 journalists have been jailed and nearly a dozen are facing trials.
The constitution also allots a quarter of the seats in Parliament to the military, a number that gives it the ability to veto over constitutional amendments. The constitution also allots a quarter of the seats in parliament to the military, a number that gives it the ability to veto over constitutional amendments.