The Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services has sent a complaint to Myanmar Press Council (MPC) calling for mediation over the Asahi Shimbun newspaper's failure to follow media ethics, said MPC member Myint Kyaw.

He said, regarding the complaint, that the council had not asked the Japanese newspaper for details.

"The military said they agreed to receive the interview as the newspaper promised to seek approval (show the draft) before the news release. But we have not asked the newspaper for details. We received the complaint yesterday (February 20).

Yangon Bureau Chief Ruta Sometaya from the Asahi Shimbun newspaper conducted an interview with Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on February 14.

The complaint sent to the MPC mentions that the newspaper was requested to send a draft to the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services before releasing or broadcasting the news in order to prevent any mistake and misunderstanding.

However, Ruta Sometaya featured the news in his newspaper on February 15 without seeking approval. Moreover, the newspaper did not carry the precise answers of the military chief.

Ruta Sometaya therefore failed to follow Chapter 4, Para 9 (a) of the Media Law and Chapter (10), Para 33 (c) of the Media By-law, the complaint points out.

As the military chief did not agreed to the content of the interview and felt his trust was breached, the MPC is urged to act in accord with the procedure to ensure that the Japanese newspaper takes responsibility.