The media will take care of itself, if politics is righteous: Thai editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
The media will take care of itself, if politics is righteous
The Nation

But Thai divide has created confusion and made journalists' work tougher

BANGKOK: -- A small group of red shirts made a relatively polite and low-key visit to The Nation's head office last Wednesday. The visitors, who were also planning to drop by a few TV stations to give similar messages, said they wanted "fair" and "just" reporting of political news. They were obviously unsatisfied with the amount of negative reports about the Yingluck administration by the targeted media groups.

In times of deep political divide the issues of press freedom and freedom of expression are always in the spotlight. The visitors are not the only ones who have something to say about it. Activists on the other side of political divide have also been critical about political news reporting. For instance, anti-government protesters visited the headquarters of ThaiPBS recently to voice resentment against the airing of a debate on the monarchy. And when Channel 3 resorted to self-censorship to block soap opera content that could have offended the powers-that-be, critics were up in arms.

There are a number of misperceptions when their views of "press freedom" are concerned, not to mention the red-shirt visitors' misunderstanding that Nation Group must make itself worthy of receiving "tax money". In Thailand, "fair" reporting is much easier said than done. It's nearly impossible, in fact, if public opinions are the key measure. The same group of red shirts was obviously not planning to visit other newspaper headquarters, but that doesn't mean those dailies have set a standard for neutrality. In this strife-torn country, what is good reporting to one side of the divide is almost automatically bad journalism to the other half.

Thai journalists used to give a lot of weight to complimentary feedback when evaluating their own work. Now, praise matters far less than before. At present, many reporters may only feel professionally satisfied with their work when brickbats are thrown at them from both sides. The current working motto is that, when nobody likes what you write, it's very likely that you are saying or reporting the right thing.

Being disliked by both sides is just one of the troubled aspects. Many journalists are simply confused. They don't know what they should do under these circumstances. They don't know what a divided society really wants from them. Should journalists take a stand or campaign vehemently for or against Article 112? How can they be neutral and objective in a deeply divided and highly partisan society? To add to the complexities and vulnerability of press freedom in Thailand, the issue is always deeply associated with how political leaders or partisan activists "feel" about the media, not how the media should behave in the universally professional sense. When Thaksin Shinawatra was prime minister and facing mounting street protests, pro-government protesters "visiting" media offices were generally thought to have been sent by the powers-that-be.

One may say journalists' work is simple, that all they have to do is be neutral and objective. With the government's advertising money going selectively to media groups and threats against journalists occurring on a daily basis, perhaps the symptom is wrongly diagnosed. And if one asks three people on the street what "brave journalism" is, you could get three different answers.

To some, brave journalism is fighting tooth and nail to bring "murderers" of the "Ratchaprasong massacre" to justice. To some others, it's those who are standing up against the Thaksin empire that is striking back. To the rest, it's those who simply try to stay neutral, whatever "neutrality" means.

Thailand has paid a huge price for its political divide. None of the key institutions has been spared. When the judiciary is branded a part of a conspiracy, Parliament a rubber stamp for tyranny of majority and the executive branch a prime example of mandate abuser, pinning too much hope on journalists may simply mean giving them too much credit.


-- The Nation 2013-06-24

[NongKhaiKid]

Grammatical mistake as it should be " if politics are righteous " but more importantly it is one of the biggest IFs around.

Given the type of people in politics, some holding senior positions, the rewards involved, and I don't mean the satisfaction of public service, etc. does anyone believe Thai politics will ever change in a positive way far less become " righteous " ?

[DiNiro]

The Nation is nothing but a propaganda tool for the Army and you know who.

Desperate to coverup their shenanigans in the internet age.

Example: Wikileaks.

3,000 emails from the US Embassy in Bangkok to the US State Department, explainIng what is really going on here with the politics.

The Nation neglected to cover one of the biggest stories of the decade.

Why?

[waza]

Forced censorship was a publicity nightmare so now they are trying voluntary censorship. But given that this exercise is conducted by a government agitation group, is only for one side of the political debate and government advertising and funding were mentioned, this could be construed as more intimidation. A better solution would be a fair and just democratic government that adheres to the rule of law and applying those laws to all Thais equally.

But how can you be a winner when everyone wins?

Edited June 24, 2013 by waza

[A Member]

Thai journalism can start to feel good about itself when it does some proper reporting, including investigative journalism, without fear or favour and making sure it doesn't upset the government of the day, politicians, important people or institutions with the exception of the monarchy.

[MaxLee]

Won't happen...

[Thai at Heart]

Aspiring to complete neutrality as a journalist is a ridiculous aim.

Someone has to have some principles to be able to point out right from wrong, and good from bad.

Or is this a case, that a political party is inherently always right, and as so, everything must always be universally good, calm and harmonious. What utter tosh.

Their job is to report the facts of situations and provide informed opinion on such. I can handle the bias, it's when it becomes pure uniformed opinion that journalism falls down.

Edited June 24, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[waza]

Won't happen...

Standover tactic, the modus operandi of a mafia

Edited June 24, 2013 by waza

[bigbamboo]

'the current working motto is that when nobody likes what you write, it's very likely you're saying or reporting the right thing.'

Really?

If nobody likes what you write it's more likely you're just a crap journalist.

[WhizBang]

Too bad no one in Thailand seems to understand what the real role of the media should be.

Every day I read rubbish articles which are badly written, obviously not proof read, no real research or investigative journalism and way too much vacuous opinion and hearsay.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Thai journalism can start to feel good about itself when it does some proper reporting, including investigative journalism, without fear or favour and making sure it doesn't upset the government of the day, politicians, important people or institutions with the exception of the monarchy.

You can't have proper investigative journalism in this country without upsetting the government or other connected people.

Proper investigative journalism in this country is hazardous to health.

[Tatsujin]

LMAO

Many journalists are simply confused. They don't know what they should do under these circumstances. They don't know what a divided society really wants from them.

Well, perhaps a good place to start would be unbiased, accurate, well-researched and verified, in-depth reporting as practiced (mostly) in more developed countries. Simply repeating what you've been told to say ad nauseum is NOT journalism in any shape or form.

[OzMick]

In the interests of clarity, the editor should have meet the red shirt group and asked them if they considered the setting of numerous fire in BKK and provincial offices in 2010 to have been justified. When he fully understood what red shirts see as "fair and just" he could better make his decision as to the value of their views.

[rubl]

"They were obviously unsatisfied with the amount of negative reports about the Yingluck administration by the targeted media groups."

To be fair lots of Thai are also unsatisfied with the 'good news only' reporting by the Yingluck Administration and the fact that even objective reporting by reporters would tend to be negative.

To end this post on a more positive tone towards the Yingluck Administration, I'm informed that Ms. Yingluck looked real nice in the red dress she wore attending her nieces wedding. Rumour has it even her brother who skyped-in said so :-)

[Bagwan]

A small group of red shirts made a relatively polite and low-key visit to The Nation's head office last Wednesday.

Relative to what?

[waza]

A small group of red shirts made a relatively polite and low-key visit to The Nation's head office last Wednesday.

Relative to what?

Its a change from them massing outside calling death threats through their sound warfare equipment and publicising the editors name, address, phone number and the school his children attend.

[DiNiro]

LMAO

Many journalists are simply confused. They don't know what they should do under these circumstances. They don't know what a divided society really wants from them.

Well, perhaps a good place to start would be unbiased, accurate, well-researched and verified, in-depth reporting as practiced (mostly) in more developed countries. Simply repeating what you've been told to say ad nauseum is NOT journalism in any shape or form.

The Nation is a mouthpiece for the wealthy minority that are losing control in the internet age.

The party is over.

It's easy to spot the Thai Visa posters that use this rag for information.

Andrew MacGregor Marshall was a Reuters journalist that has some integrity.

Too bad he was forced to retire & had to flee Thailand after writing a comprehensive history of recent events.

Look it up.

[waza]

LMAO

Many journalists are simply confused. They don't know what they should do under these circumstances. They don't know what a divided society really wants from them.

Well, perhaps a good place to start would be unbiased, accurate, well-researched and verified, in-depth reporting as practiced (mostly) in more developed countries. Simply repeating what you've been told to say ad nauseum is NOT journalism in any shape or form.

The Nation is a mouthpiece for the wealthy minority that are losing control in the internet age.

The party is over.

It's easy to spot the Thai Visa posters that use this rag for information.

Andrew MacGregor Marshall was a Reuters journalist that has some integrity.

Too bad he was forced to retire & had to flee Thailand after writing a comprehensive history of recent events.

Look it up.

Yes he was well advised to leave or be open to a lèse majesté charge under article 112 for his article #thaistory. However, if all members of the FCCT followed his suit and put principles before expediency then it would likewise have to be based in Singapore and be likewise impotent. Thailand isn't a truly democratic society it doesn't adhere to the rule of law or freedom of press, its a fiefdom that's undergoing a hostile takeover by a dictator. Fertile but dangerous ground for a journalist but change can only occur from within, by participation in the democratic process by informed Thais, not imposed externally by informed foreigners.

Edited June 25, 2013 by waza

[tomross46]

Forced censorship was a publicity nightmare so now they are trying voluntary censorship. But given that this exercise is conducted by a government agitation group, is only for one side of the political debate and government advertising and funding were mentioned, this could be construed as more intimidation. A better solution would be a fair and just democratic government that adheres to the rule of law and applying those laws to all Thais equally.

But how can you be a winner when everyone wins?

Waza, I agree but it is not only Thailand. Presently in the USA there are investigations involving all porting of government. The state department puts out all kinds of information concerning human trafficking, but do not stop it at the the borders. They talk about Russia, China and other countries spying on the USA and we have the NSA spying on the whole world.

[waza]

Forced censorship was a publicity nightmare so now they are trying voluntary censorship. But given that this exercise is conducted by a government agitation group, is only for one side of the political debate and government advertising and funding were mentioned, this could be construed as more intimidation. A better solution would be a fair and just democratic government that adheres to the rule of law and applying those laws to all Thais equally.

But how can you be a winner when everyone wins?

Waza, I agree but it is not only Thailand. Presently in the USA there are investigations involving all porting of government. The state department puts out all kinds of information concerning human trafficking, but do not stop it at the the borders. They talk about Russia, China and other countries spying on the USA and we have the NSA spying on the whole world.

I agree tomross, peoples rights are being eroded, the press is censored, violence, crime, inflation and debt are increasing, while public satisfaction and quality of life decrease all over the world.

But this is a Thailand forum.

Edited June 25, 2013 by waza