Thai media vow to fight until government lifts restrictions on free expression

[webfact]

In this photo taken and released on October 29, 2019 by the Royal Thai Government, Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha (R) attends the launching of anti-fake news centre at the Government House in Bangkok. Thailand is set to open its first centre to combat fake news, a minister said October 29, the latest Asian country to push for greater cyber scrutiny in what activists fear is a smokescreen for targeting critics.

 

The National Press Council of Thailand, the News Broadcast Council of Thailand, the Thai Journalists Association, the Online News Providers Association, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association and the National Union of Journalists of Thailand issued a joint statement today (Wednesday) demanding that the government lift all restrictions, imposed under the Emergency Decree, on freedom of expression by people and media.

 

The media organizations referred to their previous joint statement, issued on July 15th, expressing concern over the restrictions, under Section 9 of the Emergency Decree, to deal with what the government has described as “fake news”, which may cause public panic or misunderstanding of the emergency situation in a way which may jeopardize national security, public order or good morals.

 

Instead of heeding the media organizations’ concern and call for a review of such restrictions, the media organizations said that, on Tuesday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, in his Facebook post, said he had instructed authorities to enforce the restrictions rigorously against the media, media personalities and all webpages allegedly engaging in disseminating “fake news”.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-media-vow-to-fight-until-government-lifts-restrictions-on-free-expression/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-07-29

 

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[RichardColeman]

Control the media, control the country

[Thaiwrath]

 

until the government understands and realises that its attempt to restrict free expression may, finally, lead to its own downfall,

 

I'm all for it, if this is a possible outcome ! ????

[Geoffggi]

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is still in the military mind set, -  "Just obey the orders and no questions"

[ThailandRyan]

Keep pushing the people backwards, not allowing them to speak freely, and the country will one day be on fire with a movement to remove this government.   You can not keep the people locked in a corner. 

[Scott]

Off-topic posts removed.

 

[Thailand]

I read elsewhere, probably a rival publication, that Prayuth has said the Covid crisis will be over in 3-4 weeks.

I guess it is something that the gov would want to shout about but little sign of this great news on here. Maybe false news, maybe censored?

[baboon]

Really? Where were you in 2014? 2015? 2016? 2017, etc? When you were having banana skins chucked at you? Sprayed with sanitiser?

Let's just see exactly what you do.

[metisdead]

An off topic post with trolling comments on moderation has been removed. 

[Laughing Gravy]

Finally a bit of backbone showing. A lot more is required by a lot ore people and orgnisations to have any impact. I hope this is the start and not the end.

[mtls2005]

"Free expression" In Thailand?

 

 

 

[ikke1959]

I have always wondered why the media doesn't  broadcast the protests live in Bangkok.. It is important for the people to see and hear what really is going on. The country is on fire and we see on the Tv only stupid funny shows.

[Excel]

Good luck with that and let's hope the same members of the Thai media pledging to do this are still around in 6 months time

[klauskunkel]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

the government has described as “fake news”, which may cause public panic or misunderstanding of the emergency situation in a way which may jeopardize national security, public order or good morals.

A government which exempted itself from all morals (heroin, watches, Krystal Klub, corruption) preaching morality to its populace...

[ThailandRyan]

18 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

I have always wondered why the media doesn't  broadcast the protests live in Bangkok.. It is important for the people to see and hear what really is going on. The country is on fire and we see on the Tv only stupid funny shows.

Well they did in 2010 and 2014, but now after the initial media response and international response they were threatened with lawsuits and being taken off of the air. That my friend is restriction of media rights and free speech. Soon to be like the CCP, North Korea and now Myanmar.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The media organizations referred to their previous joint statement, issued on July 15th, expressing concern over the restrictions, under Section 9 of the Emergency Decree, to deal with what the government has described as “fake news”, which may cause public panic or misunderstanding of the emergency situation in a way which may jeopardize national security, public order or good morals.

Big brother is in command, mere mortals do not have or cannot share thoughts.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, klauskunkel said:

A government which exempted itself from all morals (heroin, watches, Krystal Klub, corruption) preaching morality to its populace...

Do as I say not as I do.... springs to mind.

[mrfill]

I hope he was wearing the correct equipment while bravely attempting the full four-finger point (without a safety net).

 

With pointing of that calibre, it is no surprise he is PM,

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Control the media, control the country

Only for so long, then the worm turns.

[spidermike007]

Prayuth and this rabid administrative deserve all the pushback that can be mustered up. 

 

He is the master of leading his nation backwards, by nearly any measurement you could use. Yet, he insists on using oppression, repression and suppression whenever possible, using fake sedition and fake LM charges as often as he can, and denying happiness to his people. 

 

A true man of destruction. He must be removed. Get out. Get out now! 

[mrfill]

9 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Only for so long, then the worm turns.

.... like Tiannamen Square, Burma and Hong Kong, for example?

[zyphodb]

Fascism is gaining ground worldwide, so no surprises that here is no different...

[nobodysfriend]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

the government has described as “fake news”, which may cause public panic or misunderstanding of the emergency situation

Fake news ? Arrest the TAT .

[Tropicalevo]

Thailand is following Big Brother's model (The CCP).

Kill the free press.

Brainwash its citizens.

Next will be a firewall around the Internet. (It is already censored.)

[internationalism]

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

I have always wondered why the media doesn't  broadcast the protests live in Bangkok.. It is important for the people to see and hear what really is going on. The country is on fire and we see on the Tv only stupid funny shows.

khaosod english covered extensively all protests for over a year. Here is a chronological archive. Probably around 100 events and hundreds of hours.

They also cover situation by articles, including investigating journalism.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/536126593072944/1175175309613920

 

They were suspended for several weeks in March, allegedly under palace orders, but resisted.

https://www.thaienquirer.com/25018/thai-enquirer-statement-on-disbanding-of-khaosod-english/

 

Thai Enquirer is the second best.

There is also Prachathai.

They all publish in english

[crazykopite]

It’s well known if you control the media you control the country which then controls the people “Look at China” need I say more “NO” 

[Caspersfriend]

[Scott Tracy]

6 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

until the government understands and realises that its attempt to restrict free expression may, finally, lead to its own downfall,

And that has happened where? China, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Hungary? Name one country where the government's downfall has been directly attributed to so called 'press freedom '...

[itsari]

My post was rejected here today as many have been . It seems Asian Now is not ready to make a stand .

[brianthainess]

4 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

"Free expression" In Thailand?

 

 

 

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