Say No to Biased Writing

Recently, I wrote an article in a journal in which I mentioned a dinner etiquette that requires those party-goers to put both hands on the table. However, they should not raise their hands supported by their elbows. They ought to put their palms down on the table.
The reason of having the need to do so is concerned with the gun culture of the west. As you all know, there were many a gunman in those days. Nationally, they were cautious of the man they were eating together because they might have with them a gun. This being so, they has come to pursue the practice of laying the hands on the table in order that they could build up mutual trust.
The other day I happened to read a political article that dealt with restoration of national unity and solidarity. In that article, the writer urged all those stakeholders involved in the process of national reconciliation to lay their hands on the table.
I am not satisfied with the clause, “It is particularly important for those so-called stakeholders who are saying they really want national unity and democracy”. It sounds like the writer has suspicion over their willingness to restore national unity. This in not the correct way to win their love and trust. This sort of satirical expression can even be counterproductive.
At a point, the writer also wrote like this, “Laying all the hands on the table should mean much more than mere suggestion of constructive engagement and co-operation. In fact, they should explicitly say how they would co-operate positively”. This clause had raised a question as to how they could be exact in their demand when they have no position or status or right. The writer’s demand seems to be very imposing. He should have taken into consideration the position of the opposition. What made me must dissatisfied was the concluding paragraph of the editorial.
“Here in this process, Tatmadaw (military) is the main stakeholder. The military personnel have a natural inclination to look at things from military perspective despite their involvement in the political process. Such being the case, laying the hands on the table will be the most appropriate approach when dealing with the military. This is one and only way to building up national unity”.
I think they have gone too far as to displease the readers as well as to the disgrace of the military men.
In  early 70s, I was a columnist with Shwe Tu Journal. The little of my series is “I have to say because I need to”. But the serials lasted for only two years. All the private journals were barred from publishing. This prohibition had forced me to move to write in the Myanmar Ahlin.
Now too, I have to say because I need to. My patience was lost to such sort of writings.
In this juncture, I would like to recall that periodicals had played a paramount role in Myanmar political development. But some had gone too far, thinking highly of themselves, simply trying to impose their own views on others, saying they are always right. And this sort of didactic writing had led to the downfall of very influential paper like Thuriya and Myanmar Ahlin. I would like to remind them to draw lessons from the history.
Written by Maung Wun Tha

Translated by K.M.A