PM urges media to be more careful in presenting TV debates on ‘minor issues’ as such discussions can ‘stir up prejudice

[Jonathan Fairfield]

PM urges media to be more careful in presenting TV debates on ‘minor issues’ as such discussions can ‘stir up prejudice

 

 

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Tuesday that the media could help reduce the problem of violence in society by cutting down on debating certain issues on television news shows, as he felt such discussions “stirred up prejudice”.

 

Minor issues that get highlighted by these TV shows often become even more problematic, as viewers tend to form their own judgments on them and reject the results of investigations by the police, the PM said. 

 

The media should be more careful in presenting such news, he added.

 

However, Prayut said he could not possibly intervene in such matters and respected the right of the media to report. But because it was a business, competition forced the media to present what could attract the most viewers, he said, adding that he personally thought many of these issues were “nonsense”.

 

The premier said it should be left for the justice system to decide what is right or wrong in any such issue, but when it was shown on television in a debate or discussion programme, sometimes the wrong person “got whitewashed”, causing trouble for the justice system.

 

Prayut also said that he wanted the media to present only good things that made people happy, at least during the New Year holiday period. 

 

He believed that things would get better as the results of the government’s work started to emerge. Progress in this respect had not been as quick as he would have liked because the issues facing the country were complicated, the PM said, but he vowed to strive to speed up the work this year. 

 

The PM asked the media to help create understanding with the people about the government’s work, and encouraged the people to also communicate with the government, so as to clear up any questions the public might have. “I don’t have any problems with the media. I just want us to make the new year full of happiness,” he said.  

 

“We have been in deep sorrow in the past year. And before that we were in [a state of] confusion for nearly 10 years. So, in the new year let’s try to think how we can cooperate.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30335212

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-01-02

[Just1Voice]

You mean even more prejudice against your corrupt, illegal junta? 

 

[saakura]

 He should have given a prime example of how the unfair media has blown up a trivial matter such as someone owning a few watches. Or the big noise over his use of 44 for resetting political parties.

Edited January 2, 2018 by saakura

[Chris Lawrence]

Does the media take bias in a discussion or does it lead a discussion. If leading well Thai people can make their own mind up. The general's sounds paranoid over topics that have for ever and a day been on Thai TV shows; it sounds as though he is seeing the soaps as factual news. They are for entertainment only.

 

However sounds as though he wants to have a go at actual news service and information? That's sad.

[tracker1]

I keep hearing about "happiness" I think I have a fair idea what might bring happiness to quite a few people some just can't see it or just don't care !

[mark131v]

The word 'megalomaniac' springs to mind every time this hypocrite moves his lips

 

So much for stamping on corruption and nepotism and bringing happiness and stability to the masses.....

[DM07]

shutupshutupshutupshutup....

[Orton Rd]

Honestly can't remember seeing any debate on tv, its mostly lakorn, news with zero analysis, nationalistic drum beating or inane game shows and singing competitions.

[coulson]

Suitable photo. A dead ringer for any of the below...

Edited January 2, 2018 by coulson
.

[meinphuket]

Do not discuss minor issues or anything else for that matter, unless of course approved by the 'watch' poseurs...Lets keep society completely uninformed, unengaged and ignorant. Hun Sen would be proud....

[Bob12345]

16 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

as viewers tend to form their own judgments on them and reject the results of investigations by the police

Cant have the people making up their own mind.

 

You spent a good 5 minutes making up BS, now they should just wilfully swallow it.

[ratcatcher]

 

15 hours ago, coulson said:

Suitable photo. A dead ringer for any of the below...

 

Bad apples and rotten oranges.

Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi were responsible for the deaths of millions of mostly innocent people. They were truly evil men.

Donald Trump aka POTUS may be seen by many as an annoying bull in a "China shop" but he isn't in the same league as the other four.

As for Prayut Chan-Ocha he is neither elected like Trump or an evil dictator like the other four.

Both Trump and Prayut make off the cuff statements that they later regret.

But like theirs, I see your point.

 

 

 

Edited January 3, 2018 by ratcatcher

[YetAnother]

17 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

as viewers tend to form their own judgments

exactly what d**t***rs do not want; and the only media they want is positives focused on them; small-minded people in high positions

[TKDfella]

Another dig at free speech eh?

[sawadee1947]

18 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

just want us to make the new year full of happiness,” he said.  

Then go better home to your friend Prawit and adore his ability to create expensive watches and rings out of the blue. 

And I can't see that the last 10 years was a time of confusion. Confusion came with your junta. 

People will judge you. And concerning TV...... If you don't want to see all the misery in this country...... Just switch off....... As many people do on Friday night...... You know what I'm talking about 

[Chris Lawrence]

On ‎3‎/‎01‎/‎2018 at 1:51 PM, YetAnother said:

exactly what d**t***rs do not want; and the only media they want is positives focused on them; small-minded people in high positions

Don't mention cute puppies or a dozen watches or diamond rings.

[Narratio]

On 03/01/2018 at 7:46 AM, ratcatcher said:

 

 

 

Ahhhh, the subtle art of pointing. For many years the Thai police have been showing us all how to point, but recently that has stopped. For this to become a true hub of Authoritarianism, we need our Mighty and August Leaders to know how to point. Mr.P isn't quite there, but you can see that he's trying.

 

Very trying... NURSE! More Medication!

 

[Ossy]

On 1/2/2018 at 4:29 PM, Jonathan Fairfield said:

PM urges media to be more careful in presenting TV debates on ‘minor issues’ as such discussions can ‘stir up prejudice

 

Can't someone tell this heathen that it's rude to point - unless a five-year old has just reached across the table for the last sausage, maybe - especially if he's on an image-restoring mission . . . mission impossible, I'd say.