Local Lawyer Expresses Concern Over Threats To Media

[Jai Dee]

Local lawyer expresses concern over threats to media

Human rights lawyer Thongbai Thongpao (ทองใบ ทองเปาด์) has expressed concern over increasing threats on the mass media.

Mr. Thongbai, a former senator of Maha Sarakham Province, said the media had recently faced with heavy threats which came in different forms such as bombs and newspaper headquarters besieged by protesting crowds. He remarked that the society was vividly divided into two sides. While the mass media had to present news on both sides of the story, one of the sides often showed discontent, which had many times led to intimidation.

Mr. Thongbai said that he personally felt uneasy towards the incidents as the media should have more freedom of expressions and should be free from all types of intervention. However, it did not mean that the mass media would have more privileges than other people.

He further commented that the mass media have already established ethical principles for professionals in the sector to follow. He therefore called on the public who consume news and information, to view media performances without personal and political prejudices.

He also called on the mass media to present news with neutrality as only on that stance would the media be protected by laws.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 April 2006