Myanmar Press Council (MPC) met with representatives from the Yangon Region government regarding its complaint against three journalists from Weekly Eleven Journal including the chief editor at the council office in Botahtaung Township on November 15.

The meeting came after Director Aung Kyaw Khaing from the regional government sent a complaint to MPC demanding a lawsuit against the three journalists under section 9 Sub-section (a), (c), (g) and (i) of the Media Law.

MPC Chairman Hanthawady Ohn Kyaing told the media: "The Yangon Region government representatives filed a lawsuit. Director U Aung Kyaw Khaing came here. We explained to him the situation presented by the other side. They agreed to discuss and negotiate about the things clarified by both sides after November 27. I and my council members explained that this is the first issue in history of Myanmar. The council has just been reconstituted. Under the military government, we could not help if media faced action. At that time, they were under arrest as soon as they were to appear in court. We want to change that bad tradition. It was wrong the Eleven Media journalists were arrested after the government launched charges. We urged them to drop the charges and to solve the problem in our office. We said that the case could be settled under the Media Law. As the President gave a directive, the case was dropped and they came to us to discuss the case. The discussion is very good. The other day, the Eleven Media in its discussion repeatedly said that efforts would be made to settle the case. Today, the government's attitude is also the same. I think the problem will be solved in a peaceful way."

The council chairman said there was some progress in the discussion.

"We can say there is some progress in the case. After a tension and detention, now both sides are in a position to negotiate. This is a great progress," he added.

Director Aung Kyaw Khaing told the media that the case was still under discussion and that the press council would mediate between the two sides.

MPC Joint Secretary (2) Tharlon Zaung Htet said when asked about the government's attitude, Aung Kyaw Khaing said he had no authority to say now but he would reply within days after submitting the case to the government.

"Ko Kyaw Zaw Lin and Ko Phyo Wai will arrive back after November 27. At that time only, we will know about the attitudes of both parties. He (U Aung Kyaw Khaing) said he had no authority to decide. He said the matter of discussion after November 27 will be submitted to the government. He took documents related to the government and company documents here. But we didn't see them," said Tharlon Zaung Htet.

MPC already met with officials from Eleven Media Group (EMG) on November 13.