‘Naew Na’ paper quits National Press Council
NATIONAL Press Council of Thailand president Chavarong Limpattamapanee said yesterday that Naew Na newspaper’s resignation from the council would not affect its intention to encourage members to implement self-regulating measures.
He said Naew Na had quit the council as of yesterday, adding that the paper had the right to pull out because the council’s self-regulatory system was voluntary.
Naew Na cited the council’s failure to create its own regulatory system in the 19 years since it was established as a reason for the paper’s withdrawal.
A source from Naew Na said some of its executives were dissatisfied with the role of the council, particularly after an executive faced legal action and the council failed to come to the newspaper’s defence.
Chavarong responded by saying that Naew Na may have a different view from 50 other papers in Bangkok and the provinces, many of which want to promote the council’s self-regulatory ideology as well as encourage liberty and responsibility among members.
He added that the council has amended its charter to establish an ethics committee and upgrade a sub-committee looking into complaints.
The ethics committee is meant to expedite complaint reviews and work proactively to monitor members to ensure they comply with ethics. The rules and regulations on ethics that newspapers must follow are also being updated, Chavarong said.
“It is a pity that Naew Na has quit as it has lost the chance to play a role in the members’ success in realising their goals,” he said.
