The Ministry of Information of the Union of Myanmar announced in a state-run newspaper on January 9 that it is taking legal action against the publishers and publishers of seven books containing obscene material.
It was found that the books described obscene material by violating the provisions of Section 8, Subsection (c) of the Printing and Publishing Law and distributed the content that could mislead thinking, vision and understanding of young people and that is not accepted by Myanmar society, the announcement said.
The books that violated the law and regulations are: “Kyundot Hnalone Htethmar Leikpya Takaung Narkho Naythe”; “1500 Miles to You”; “Amonenepyode Chitchin Alinkar”; “Myitta Hnaungthi Chitkyochi ”; “Match Made in Clouds”; “DISO”+Extra”; and “Thet Hsaing Thu U Wai”. The printers and publishers of the books have their business licenses revoked and have their publications declared illegal. In addition, they will be prosecuted in accordance with the law, the announcement said.
An official from the ministry said that the Printing and Publishing Law stipulates that obscene literature is not printed and published and that action is to be taken against them in accordance with the law as they violated the provisions of the law.
While such action is being taken against obscene literature, on the other hand, it is necessary to encourage and promote more publishing of literature of aesthetics, life-enhancing literature, and literature that promotes wisdom, a young reader living in Yangon said.
The announcement said that printers and publishers were urged to respect and abide by the Printing and Publishing Law and that they would be prosecuted in accordance with the law if they violated the rules and regulations.
