Burma News International (BNI) - Burmese Newspapers

Burma News International (BNI)
The Burma News International was established in 2003 with four Burmese news organizations based in the western border of Burma, India and Bangladesh. It was later expanded, with other Burmese news organizations based in Thailand and the Thai-Burma border areas joining in. At present, it has ten independent Burma media/news organizations as members. They are Mizzima News, Narinjara News, Kaladan Press, Khonumthung News, Network Media Group, Independent Mon News Agency, Shan Herald Agency for News, Kao Wao News, Kantarawaddy Times and Kachin News Group.

The Burma News International aims to promote Burma related news and reports in South Asia and South East Asia. It is also serves as a bridge for mutual-understanding, sharing experiences, expertise and resources and cooperation among the Independent Burma Media Organizations.

Vision

“To become a leading multimedia enterprise that presents a comprehensive picture of Burma and plays a role in promoting an understanding of the country.”

Mission

“BNI is a network of ten independent media organisations from Burma catering daily reliable, accurate and balanced news from different parts of the country to the local, regional and international community, presenting Burma as a nation of diverse peoples. We help to create knowledge and understanding about the different ethnic nationalities and regions of Burma.”

Members of BNI maintain an independent standard of journalism and promote freedom of the press and ensure a free flow of information in collaboration with regional and international journalist’s organisations.”

Code of Ethics

BNI accepts that a journalist shall only mention a person's age, race, colour, creed, illegitimacy, disability, marital status (or lack of it), gender or sexual orientation, if this information is strictly relevant. A journalist shall neither originate nor process material which encourages discrimination, ridicule, prejudice or hatred on any of the above-mentioned grounds.

BNI Membership Criteria

- Must be an independent Burma media organization
- Must be a stable media organization
- Must produce original news on Burma
- Must accept the BNI vision and mission and abide by the rules and regulations of BNI
- To become a member of BNI, at least two existing BNI members must nominate it and decide on the membership in a consensus during the BNI’s regular meeting
- Must agree to BNI’s Code of Ethics
- Must take responsibility given at the BNI’s regular meetings

BNI Policies

- BNI members should work to promote women’s participation and induct women journalists in member organizations.
- BNI shall include more women journalists by encouraging its member organisations to have more women in the decision making process

Staff

1. Development Officer - Nai Kasauh Mon
2. Development Secretary - Mu Laing Theint
3. Duty Editor - Asohn Vi
4. Copy Editor - Shyamal Sarkar
5. Web-master - Ko Sai