Yangon – Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan met trainees of Journalism Course No. 3/2009 conducted by Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association at its hall on the second floor of Sarpay Beikman Building on Merchant Street, here, yesterday.Also present on the occasion were departmental heads of the Ministry of Information and officials, the Vice- Chairman-1 of MWJA and CEC members, members of the course supervisory committee and course instructors.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Brig- Gen Kyaw Hsan said it can be seen that the youth are playing a role in all sectors of the international community. He added that indeed, youth are the force of the State in the future as a Myanmar saying goes: ‘Today’s youth are the future’s force’. The force or strength is essential for development of a nation or a race, he said. He added that nowadays, there are over 200 countries with different sizes of areas and populations across the world. Every country has to build the forces namely economic force, organizational force and defence force to be able to stand as a sovereign and independent state, he said.

The minister pointed out that the countries are standing as sovereign ones by further consolidating these forces.

Forces to wipe out interferences of powers

Moreover, he added that the countries have to take the international support as an additional force. Only then, will the country be equipped with the four forces to wipe out the interference of powers, he said. The minister noted that if a country applies the proper ratio of quantity and quality of the youth, the genuine forces will emerge in it. He stressed the need for the youth to forge patriotic spirit because the quantity and quality of youth alone is not enough for the country.

Three main pillars

He continued to say that today, Myanmar is in the process of transition to a new democratic nation.

He pointed out that three main pillars namely legislative pillar, judicial pillar and executive pillar are essential for a democratic nation.

Likewise, he added that the media, called the fourth pillar, plays a pivotal role in the country. However, the minister said that these pillars are not enough for the nation.

The fifth pillar Indeed, the people who play the most important role in a nation should be taken into consideration as the fifth pillar, he noted. He continued to say that the media are responsible for conducting check and balance of three pillars and for helping the way of thinking and ideology of the people right and correct. A review of the history in the past centuries showed that the nations stuck to ideology.

In the 21st century, they gave priority to national interest, instead of clinging on to ideology.

The interest of a nation is the first priority of that nation. In the history, however, some countries have become lessons for others as they are badly affected by their own extremism as they placed too much emphasis on national interests.

Therefore, today’s youth in the country should be equipped with a sense of spirit which can guide them to carry out non-extreme national interests.

Promote national interests

The minister also said that he wanted the trainees of the journalism course to become the media men who can promote the national interests of the country. The country enjoyed the freedom of press from 1948 to 1962. However, it became the unethical press as they based on sectarianism, dogmatism and personality cult and worked only for profits, he said. Therefore, the future media men should become the ones who can promote the national interests. The Head of State gave guidance to build a constant learning society with the aim of promoting qualifications which is necessary in the knowledge age.

Within everyone’s reach

Regarding the education, the government has built the education system within everyone’s reach. The education helps a society to gain high qualification through morals, knowledge and skills, he said. In conclusion, he urged the trainees to work hard to become media men who can promote the national interests of the country.

Afterwards, Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan browsed the newspapers published by the trainees and documentary photos and cordially greeted the trainees. – MNA