2016 is year of "government's interference and the media's depression" : TJA
This year was a year of "government's interference and the media's depression," the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) said in a brief report on the 2016 media situation.
The media situation in Thailand has continued to be obscure and among the constraints were the special power and the orders of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) as well as the premier's negative attitude towards the media's work.
The TJA said the government is trying to interfere and control the media in many ways claiming the "media reform".
The TJA said the government is trying to interfere and control the media in many ways claiming the "media reform".
Recently, the media reform steering committee of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) deliberated the draft bill on the rights protection, ethical promotion and professional standards of media professionals.
Six media organizations including the National Press Council, the News Broadcasting Council of Thailand, the Thai Journalists Association, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, the Online News Providers Association and the Thailand Cable TV Association opposed the version of the draft bill as it might allow intervention from politicians or government officials through the members of the so-called national media council.
Six media organizations including the National Press Council, the News Broadcasting Council of Thailand, the Thai Journalists Association, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, the Online News Providers Association and the Thailand Cable TV Association opposed the version of the draft bill as it might allow intervention from politicians or government officials through the members of the so-called national media council.
The draft assigned the permanent-secretary of four ministries as well as four representatives selected by the government to sit on the 13-member committee. Such an idea can be opposing to the spirit of the Constitution which has passed the national referendum and guaranteed the freedom of the press as well as the honest expression according to ethical and professional standards.
