Military Council Denounces Time Magazine and Reporter, Citing Interview Format

Mekong, September 23 The military council today, September 23, issued a statement strongly condemning Time magazine and reporter Charlie Campbell, alleging that Time magazine published an interview with coup leader and chairman Min Aung Hlaing in an article format, deviating from the original question-and-answer format. According to the military council's statement, Time magazine's Asia Bureau Chief and reporter Charlie Campbell, based in Singapore, requested an interview titled "The Future of Myanmar" through the Myanmar Embassy in Singapore. Although Chairman Min Aung Hlaing, the military leader, met and was interviewed in Naypyidaw in response to this request, the military council stated that Time magazine published it online only in an article format, not in the original question-and-answer format. Furthermore, the military council accused the magazine of not accurately reflecting the answers provided, and instead prioritizing unnecessary writings, interviews with other individuals, and analyses. The military council asserted that Time magazine and the reporter failed to uphold media ethics by emphasizing content not included in the initial agreement and using expressions that could mislead the international community. The statement also indicated that the military council would continue to release the full original question-and-answer transcript of the interview with the military leader.