Matichon Vice President Quits Council Over Bribe Investigation: Thai Media

[webfact]

MEDIA

Matichon VP quits council over bribe investigation

By The Nation

The vice president of Matichon Public Company Limited yesterday resigned as the newspaper publisher's representative to the National Press Council of Thailand to protest what he said was its flawed investigation of the media-bribery scandal.

In his resignation letter - in which he also quit the council's board - Sommai Paritchart admitted that allegations that politicians had bribed journalists had hurt the image of Thai newspapers, including Matichon. But he accused the council's investigation committee of failing to allow the implicated parties to defend themselves according to proper procedures. Moreover, he said, the council presented the results of its probe to the public and the Election Commission before an appeals process could be launched, and without summoning the editors of newspapers allegedly involved, as is standard procedure at the council, Sommai said.

He added that the National Press Council of Thailand had been warned that by appointing a panel to probe the scandal, it risked becoming embroiled in political conflicts.

Pheu Thai Party deputy spokes-man Wim Rungwattanajinda was accused of writing an e-mail to his boss saying he had paid Bt20,000 each to numerous journalists at newspapers and television networks in return for prioritising their coverage of Yingluck Shinawatra, then the party's prime minister candidate. Matichon columnists were mentioned in the e-mail.

Soontorn Janrungsee, deputy chairman of the National Press Council of Thailand, said he had not seen Sommai's resignation letter. But he was sorry and disagreed if Sommai really decided to quit as the reasons he gave were not right. It was not true that the agency's norms were broken when the investigation result was released to the public early as this case was in the people's interest, he said.

However, Soontorn said he had not received any resignation letter from Sommai.

-- The Nation 2011-08-30

[webfact]

Let Wim prove himself, PM's minister says

By Piyanart Srivalo,

Atapoom Ongkulna

The Nation

PM's Office Minister Kritsana Seehalak, who is in charge of the media, has called for her secretary Wim Rungwattanajinda to be given a chance to prove himself and clarify claims he bribed members of the media.

Wim was experienced and should be good at dealing with the media, which would help her a lot, Kritsana said. Moreover, Wim being in the position meant the media could examine him.

Kritsana said Wim was selected by a Pheu Thai Party committee and she took part in the process. Although Wim's case could lead to the party being dissolved - if he is found guilty, the inquiry had to be processed freely.

Kritsana said she had yet to talk to Wim about his job and assignment. However, the government's direction for the media, especially NBT television channel, was that it should be independent and neutral, as well as serve people in the provinces and provide creative reports.

Kritsana said she planned to develop Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's weekly programme to be more modern and work well as a channel for the government to communicate directly to people about its work. The Opposition would also get some airtime. However, as the government wanted to promote reconciliation, political analysis programmes that might worsen conflicts in society should be reduced.

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he did not mind the appointment of red-shirt leaders to many political posts. It was the government's choice and their performance had yet to be proved. However, the worrying issue was red shirts intimidating people who have different political ideas, as the government had not given a clear stance what to do.

Abhisit said it did not matter how Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung asked Udon Thani red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana to ask his supporters not to provoke conflicts. It was the behaviour of the red shirts that mattered.

Abhisit said he also worried about the red shirts seeking to pressure independent agencies, investigators and justice agencies.

Abhisit and Democrat MP Satit Wongnongtaey raised the issue during the government's policy declaration last week after red shirts threatened activists last week. Yingluck assigned Chalerm to look into the matter.

-- The Nation 2011-08-30

[Deez]

And him quitting helps his case how??

[kmj]

And him quitting helps his case how??

gets him in the news

[EyesWideOpen]

Ahaaa !!! That explains why the Thai media was so kind to Yingluck.....

[OzMick]

"Wim was experienced and should be good at dealing with the media, which would help her a lot, Kritsana said."

Possibly not those members of the media having their reputations damaged because the idiot spilt the beans.

[Arkady]

It was pretty obvious at the time that much of the whirlwind of publicity surrounding Yingluck's candidacy and electoral campaign must have been purchased. Obviously Wim has shown through his actions that he understands fully the principles that Phuea Thai stands for and is highly qualified for the government job. Unfortunately the media will probably taste more of the stick than the carrot now PT is in power. Som nam naa.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

A few days ago it was Thai government folks talking about local casinos supposedly being ordered closed prior to the recent national election, so gambling dollars would flow to border area casinos connected to Thai politicians, so they'd have extra vote buying funds.

Now it's a PTP official allegedly bribing newspaper and television journalists to get favorable coverage for Yingluck leading up to the election...

Anyone else beginning to sense a familiar pattern here??? The best "democracy" that money can buy....