Bangkok Post Sacks The Chief Editor

[george]

BANGKOK: Journalists at Thailand's oldest newspaper, the Bangkok Post, protested on Friday over a management decision to transfer its editor, known for his critical stance against the government.

The editorial staff of the English-language daily said in a statement the abrupt removal of Bangkok Post Editor Veera Prateepchaikul was a threat to their professional independence. The management of Post Publishing PCL promoted Veera to the largely inactive job of deputy editor-in-chief, according to Editor-in-Chief Pichai Chuensukswadi.

Bangkok Post reporters said Veera, a long-serving journalist at the paper and its editor for the past 21 months, had resisted management efforts to have the paper soften its critical coverage of government policies of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. ``He has in effect been sacked despite the beautiful words given by the management that the decision is a promotion,'' said Bangkok Post reporter Ampa Santimatanedol. ``The management may have been concerned that the newspaper's editorial policy under Veera has frustrated their business interest by its constant attacks on the government,'' she said.

Ampa joined the paper's 100-member editorial staff who spent 90 minutes on Friday seeking clarification from its management.

But Pichai denied the charge, saying Veera's transfer was intended to help him revamp the newspaper and its sister Thai-language newspaper, the Post Today.

``We reassured our reporters today that the Post will report in line with its policy in the straightforward manner. Under no circumstances, even under any pressure from shareholders, will we not agree to publish a factual story,'' Pichai said.

But media watchdogs and critics said Veera's abrupt transfer raised question about the newspaper's independence.

``For the sake of transparency, the Post Publishing board must explain to the public on the dismissal of Veera from his post to maintain the newspaper's credibility,'' the Thai Journlist Association said in a statement.

Some Bangkok Post reporters said some of their earlier stories had been withdrawn apparently over concerns that they would make major shareholders unhappy.

Post Publishing is 30 percent owned by the family of retail business tycoon Suthikiart Chirathivat, 20 percent by the SCMP Group , publisher of Hong Kong's South China Morning Post, and 3.7 percent by Thailand's Bangkok Bank PCL.

A government spokesman denied charges that the authorities had interfered in the editorial policy of the paper, saying Veera's transfer was entirely its internal decision.

``A restructuring of a newspaper or media agency is its internal decision, a policy of its owners. No government or political party has the power to intervene or influence it,'' government spokesman Suranand Vejjajiva told Reuters.

--Agencies 2004-02-20

[Maejo Man]

Quoting Gomer Pyle USMC "Shame, Shame, Shame"

[mrentoul]

Front-page ''brothers under seige'' comment piece appearing in the Nation tomorrow.

Quote:

We strongly support ‘Bangkok Post’s’ independence

The Bangkok Post has served as a mirror of Thai society for 58 years. Like

any newspaper, it has gone through highs and lows depending on political

circumstances. Yet all along their journalists have withstood any attempted

intervention to restrict their freedom of expression and have continued to

report the news in “a straight-forward, accurate, balanced and fair manner”.

This has been a visible mantra of the Bangkok Post.

As an English language newspaper, it has an additional responsibility in portraying

the whole gamut of Thai life, be it politics, economics or social.

When Thailand had only one English newspaper, these tasks were omnipresent.

Therefore, the Bangkok Post’s reputation has been built on solid, professional journalism.

When colleagues from the Bangkok Post yesterday faxed us their letter of

appeal to the board of directors of Post Publishing Plc, we gave them our

wholehearted support. We also share with them a common desire to protect our

freedom and independence in carrying out our duties. We also agree with them

that journalists must “be strong enough the stay the course – ethics and

principle demand no compromise”. Compromise we will not. We share the same

belief that journalists are educators, counsellors and sounding boards for

both the highest echelons of business and government as well as for the

poor, the disenfranchised and the oppressed.

As journalists working in current circumstances, we feel the pain of our

friends at the Bangkok Post as if it were ours. Even though for more than

three decades we have competed to be the best in the print media, we have

done it professionally. Together, we have disseminated news and analysis and

helped to raise public awareness of the prospects and problems of our

society. However, at this time our hearts are with them.

As an English language newspaper, it has a mission beyond the vernacular

media because its content can be accessed throughout the world. What the

journalists of the Bangkok Post report or say has far-reaching implications

around the world for Thailand’s image. Any effort to curb these journalistic

attributes can only taint the country’s international standing and augment

anxieties.

Like the Bangkok Post’s journalists, we need assurances from proprietors of

editorial independence to report without fear or bias. This is a trying time

for all of us as the government continues to muzzle the media and their

owners. Unfortunately, the current Thai leaders have made no commitment to

stop interfering in the media.

The print media is a business and we have a responsibility to our owners.

But what is more important is our duty to our readers – we have to be honest

in reporting the truth. George Orwell said, succinctly, that if liberty

means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they don’t

want to hear. In this case, it includes the owners.

End quote.

[snowleopard]

Bangkok Post used to be an interesting read about 10 years ago but since the economic crisis of 97 it has gotten progressively blander and blander!

Farang deaths were first ordered to be reported as suicides or accidents!

When the Post reported so many unbelievable suicides,they got told to stop reporting altogether!

No transparency,no accountability,no criticism and censorship galore are what Toxin likes!

Snowleopard.

[george]

The new login/registration at the (useless) online version is annoying as well. Do they want to self die on the internet?

[challstrom]

I think every one have notist the change i the Bangkokpost recently.

I for one, feeel that the Post no longer telling all i should as a free news paper

and it have for some time lookt very tame when it come to telling, or reporting

of what happen in and around Thailand.

challstrom

[astral]

I don't see the need to sack the editor.

The Bangkok Post has been censored for years. Any regular reader who has an eye to what the foreign press is saying about Thailand will know this already.

Any item to do with a farang being arrested, prosecuted, sentenced etc is missing from the pages of the Post. We have to rely on the small local papers in the tourist centres like Pattaya to tell us what is really happening.

[argus1949]

Every one know that Thailand is a from a dictator roled country. The thing is, the outside world know this too and they know what they have to do. No big company is in favor to work with dictatorships as good governance in those contries are strict and stricter and now CEO want to do business with such countries anymore as he will be immediatly in the squeeze . This is also the reason way almost zero direct investments come into the country. Wait and see, Thailand good bye.

[farangene]

  This is also the reason way almost zero direct investments come into the country. Wait and see, Thailand good bye.

Goodbye ABN-AMRO Bank!!

[JGV]

What farangs think about this issue is irrelevant because they don't have a voice in this country anyway. More importantly is how Thai people are going to react to a continual erosion of all the good things that make this country one that we all want to live in. My guess is that the overwhelming majority will just keep their heads down and hope it all goes away. My hope is that the KIng will ultimately say enough is enough and force the current administration to consider the alternatives Freedom and all its warts and all versus oppression where we all consider carefully who we are talking to and how it is likely to be used against us. This insular response will eventually lead to economic isolation and social impotence which can benefit only the wealthy. God Save THe King he is our only hope.

Newbiw

[pnustedt]

Over the months there have been numerous postings on this forum complaining about the editorial content of The Post. Perhaps it is right that the person responsible for that content is changed.

[Bluecat]

The Nation

Reporters decry editor’s removal

Published on Feb 21, 2004

Journalists at the Bangkok Post yesterday demanded assurances from their employer that editorial independence would be maintained at one of Thailand's oldest newspapers following the murky transfer of editor Veera Prateepchaikul.

About 80 Post journalists signed a statement deploring what they perceived as an ominous sign, as Veera is known to have been under pressure from the management following news reports critical of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The statement was submitted to Suthikiati Chirathivat, chairman of Post Publishing's executive board, who had a tense two-hour meeting with the reporters.

"There is no single greater asset to this company than our brand, reputation and image among our readers that the Bangkok Post remains objective and committed to supporting what is right and opposing what is wrong," said the statement, which was faxed to other media outlets.

"To turn from this road will lead us astray. To compromise these principles will betray those very qualities that are held to be our greatest strengths among our readers. When we question the importance of and commitment to editorial independence, we challenge the very bedrock of our existence."

Kowit Sanandang was named new editor, replacing Veera, who had been in the position for just a year-and-a-half. Veera was yesterday appointed deputy editor-in-chief of Post Publishing with a duty to assist editor-in-chief Pichai Chuensuk-sawadi in overseeing and coordinating editorial policy, administration and budgets of the company's editorial units.

A management press release denied the changes were a result of political pressure.

"With regards to press reports that the change in the editorship is a result of political pressure or interference, Post Publishing's executive committee chairman Suthikiati Chirathivat denied that this was the case at a meeting with Bangkok Post reporters after the board of directors' meeting," it said.

"Khun Suthikiati also assured the Bangkok Post would adhere to its joint editorial policy issued to staff last year that both newspapers [bangkok Post and Post Today] would report the news in a straightforward, accurate, balanced and fair manner. The joint policy also states that both papers will publish only true stories and not bow to pressure from politicians or business interests to do otherwise."

This, however, did little to calm the Post's journalists. Some of them insisted during interviews with The Nation yesterday that the management had repeatedly tried to censor "negative" stories about the government.

Veera, president of the Thai Journalists Association (TJA), joined the Post in the 1970s as a cub reporter. In 2002, he was elected president of the TJA and re-elected for a second term last year.

Under his editorial guidance, the Post has run several articles critical of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's leadership during the past 18 months.

According to an informed source, the December 4 edition last year, which carried a headline quoting the King as advising Thaksin not to be an arrogant leader, had greatly upset the prime minister.

Earlier, the Post had referred to Thaksin's leadership style as "one-man rule".

Veera's transfer has drawn criticism from media experts and political activists who believe the change is a direct result of political pressure. Chulalongkorn University's mass communications lecturer Pirongrong Ramasoota Rananand described Veera's transfer as a "slap in the face" for Thai journalism, while Supinya Klangnarong, secretary-general of the Campaign for Popular Democracy, said the incident confirmed that the country's media freedoms faced a serious threat.

The Bangkok-based Southeast Asian Press Alliance (Seapa) said it considered Veera's transfer to be an infringement of press freedoms. Political interference in several Thai newspapers was increasing alarmingly, it noted.

The Thai Rak Thai Party promptly denied it had anything to do with the transfer. "Please be fair to us," said spokesman Suranan Vejjajiva. "It's their internal affair, so how could the government or our party have had influence on such organisational things?"

[ovenman]

The Thai Rak Thai Party promptly denied it had anything to do with the transfer. "Please be fair to us," said spokesman Suranan Vejjajiva. "It's their internal affair, so how could the government or our party have had influence on such organisational things?"

Yeah, I can't even imagine how that might have happened...

[Bluecat]

I went to a meeting between the foreign Chambers of Commerce and Thaksin a few months back.

After the lunch, there was some speech from the Prime Minister followed by a questions and answers session.

When the questions were related to some remarks made on one or another subject (we all know he is the champion at speaking without thinking first) and asking him some explanations about them, his answer was, in a nutshell:

"I never said that, you must be a reader of the Bangkok Post".

.....

[cdnvic]

I think the death knell was when the bird flu crisis started to unravel and the Post, who I've never seen as anything other than a government stooge paper, started becoming more critical of the PM. If the lapdog Post is seen as a thorn in the govt's side I can just imagine what they think of The Nation.

cv

[Bluecat]

I think the death knell was when the bird flu crisis started to unravel and the Post, who I've never seen as anything other than a government stooge paper, started becoming more critical of the PM. If the lapdog Post is seen as a thorn in the govt's side I can just imagine what they think of The Nation.

cv

Bangkok Post has (so far,...) a far wider audience than the Nation, hence they probably make Thaksin Co. more concerned by whatever they write.

But who knows when and where it will stop,...

[The Quill]

I have thought long and hard before this. It isn't an automatic response to a new issue, it is a considered response to a long recognised issue:

Let me tidy this up for you a little. True, the board tried a few months ago to get rid of Veera. But your portrayal of him as a fearless proponent of truth and freedom of speech is way off the mark.

Veera cut copy at the behest of the chairman of the board. Normally that would have kept the chairman happy, but last week Veera became overzealous and spiked a column by a woman who regards the chairman as a personal friend. She took offence.

To the extent he was critical of the government, it was only because some copy managed to slip through without him seeing it. I can't emphasise that point enough.

He was on the phone on a nightly basis to production staff, telling them what headline to change, what copy to cut. In some cases he would take it upon himself to make these changes, without telling anyone. Guess who wrote today's front page story in which he is portrayed as a fearless defender of free speech?

The Post's coverage of the King's speech, in which the headline accused Thaksin of arrogance, upset Thaksin. But as I say, some things managed to slip through without Veera changing them.

The chairman apparently has a son-in-law who works at the Post who has highest-level access to what goes through the system. He phones Veera, who in turn phones the night staff to tell them what changes to make. The guy was a stooge, and his successor looks no better.

If Kowit had any spine, would refuse to take the job until any ''doubt'' about the Post's independence was cleared up.

(edited Feb 28)

[george]

EDITORIAL FREEDOM: Post staff get media backing

Watchdogs and journalists express alarm over 'murky' transfer of editor

Both the Thai and the foreign press yesterday threw their full support behind Bangkok Post journalists in their fight for editorial independence.

More than 100 local newspapers nationwide issued a statement expressing their official support, while Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) president Costas Paris indicated deep concern over Friday's "murky" transfer of Post editor Veera Prateepchaikul.

"The FCCT is in touch with the Thai journalists. We back the Bangkok Post journalists' appeal for independence," Paris said.

"We are watching the developments at the Bangkok Post with concern. It is strange that Veera lost his position after only one and a half years, which raises many questions - what was behind his transfer from an active editorial position to an inactive post?" Paris added.

In another development, the Network of Northern, Southern, Northeastern and Southern Newspaper Editors said in a joint statement that Veera's transfer was a serious violation of the Thai media's freedom.

It is also a violation of the Constitution's Article 41, which accords the media the right to freedom of expression, the editors said.

"It is obvious that the Post has often published news and articles that raised criticism of the government or its apparatus. Veera's transfer therefore needs a clear explanation to the public."

The network also asked the government to stop any form of media intervention.

Supinya Klangnarong, secretary-general of the Campaign for Media Reform, a non-governmental organisation, said: "The case of Khun Veera' s transfer reflects how the 'powers that be' have acted towards gaining complete control of the mass media. We'd like to express our deep regret about this tragedy."

Dr Ubonrat Siriyuwasak, a media expert and lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, said she was worried by politicians' and business groups' intervention in mass-media outlets.

"It is coming in three forms: using state power to directly control state media outlets; exercising state power to influence the practice of privately-owned media outlets; and using big business networks to acquire media companies' shares," she said.

Suriyasai Katasila of the Campaign for Popular Democracy said other media outlets could face the same fate as the Bangkok Post.

Panas Tassaneeyanon, a lawyer and former member of the Constitution Drafting Committee, said Veera could take his case to the Constitution Court via the Office of the Ombudsman if he felt he had been unfairly treated.

Democrat MP Alongkorn Pollabutr said he would raise Veera's case in Parliament next week.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Post Publishing Plc's labour union said the transfer was groundless. "There should be something coming out of an employee committee's meeting tomorrow as what has happened seriously affects our editorial work," said Songphol Kaewprathumthip, president of the Post's employee committee. Veera himself has declined to comment, saying that he is only an employee.

-----------------------

MEDIA INTERFERENCE: Editor 'removed for irritating Thaksin'

'Bangkok Post' report using word 'arrogance' was final straw, reporters say

One of the main reasons Veera Prateepchaikul was removed on Friday as editor of the Bangkok Post was because of a report published late last year that "irritated" the Prime Minister by using the word "arrogance" to describe him, Post reporters say.

In that report, His Majesty the King was quoted as saying in his December 4, 2003 speech that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra should listen to criticism. Thaksin was displeased by the use of the word "arrogance" in the article's headline, Post reporters familiar with the situation said.

Thaksin reportedly also voiced displeasure over several other reports in the paper while it was under Veera's editorship, but the December "arrogance" report was the last straw, said one of the paper's senior reporters on condition of anonymity.

Sources said the Thaksin administration was furious over the Post's choice of the word "arrogance" and Veera was given three months "to put the house in order".

"Veera was later ordered to remove the person in charge of the news on that day to a non-editorial section. However he refused to do so as he could not justify the removal," said the source.

Veera yesterday declined to comment on the controversy.

Another source said the premier had on several occasions expressed his dissatisfaction with Post reports to Government House reporters.

She said that over the past several months, news and other articles critical of the government have been censored almost every day.

"Certain news items or articles, whose content was not much different from that presented in other newspapers, were at worst spiked or, at best, hidden on inside pages," she said.

"Veera himself would be phoned at midnight to ensure there was no problem," she added.

"The orders from the government would not come directly to Veera but through management. This led to self-censorship because the management - with no knowledge or experience in presenting news - was terrified by the way news about the government was presented," she said.

For example, the Post was faulted for failing to prominently report the signing ceremony for the selling of rubber between Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia last year.

"We were told that the premier was very upset that his pet project received no attention from the paper. The premier apparently said that the Post had a negative attitude towards the government," she said.

Reporters at the paper are alarmed about political intervention in their work.

"There has still been no guarantee of press freedom for reporters," the source said.

"The new editor has been instructed to restructure the editorial department to find the 'right man for the right job'," said another Post source.

Another veteran reporter said that Veera was told that the government was not happy with his critical stand towards it.

"He was told by the management to 'adjust', the newspaper within three months, without any explanation of exactly what was meant by 'adjusting'," she said.

-----------------------

Press sees dark motives behind removal

Major newspapers, with the exception of the mass circulation daily Thai Rath, yesterday reacted with alarm to the removal of Bangkok Post editor Veera Prateepchaikul, featuring both stories and comment on their front pages.

But Thai Rath, the country's largest-circulation newspaper, surprisingly made no mention of Veera's removal.

Naew Na, which is often critical of the government, linked the Thaksin administration to the removal of Veera.

The newspaper's headline read: "Bangkok Post staff protest removal of editor. Reporters say editor was removed because of criticism towards the government.''

Thai Post implied that the government was involved in Veera's removal.

Krungthep Turakij, a business newspaper owned by the Nation Group, devoted a large section of its front page to the story.

Most papers reported comments from journalists, press associations and academics accusing the government of having a hand in the editor's removal and interfering with press freedom.

However they avoided directly attacking the government.

Major political newspaper Matichon mentioned Veera's removal only briefly in a front-page story, and did not imply any government involvement.

The Post Today, A Thai-language newspaper under the umbrella of the Post Publishing Group, which also publishes the Bangkok Post, had an interview with Thai Rak Thai party spokesman Suranan Vejjajiva on its inside pages.

Suranan denied that the party had anything to do with the transfer.

In a front-page story that focused on the appointment of Kowit Sanandang as its new editor, the Bangkok Post mentioned a demand from the Thai Journalists Association that its board explain the reason behind the transfer.

--The Nation 2004-02-22

[Axel]

Not necessarily a democratic behaviour. But than, I said it before, I adore Toxin as one of the few men without hemmorhoids.

[george]

But be wish the journalists good luck in their fight for press freedom. IMHI this issue will gain the press enourmously. Thaksin has to say censur or not censur. The world media is now following this case, and I would be surprised if PM Thaksin says that the media has no freedom to write what they want.

This is the start for a free Thai press, but it can take time before they dare!

Only my 2 baht worth. TiT.

[hacknew]

Let me tidy this up for you a little. True, the board tried a few months ago to get rid of Veera. But your portrayal of him as a fearless proponent of truth and freedom of speech is way off the mark.

Veera cut copy at the behest of the chairman of the board. Normally that would have kept the chairman happy, but last week Veera became overzealous and spiked a column by a woman who regards the chairman as a personal friend. She took offence.

To the extent he was critical of the government, it was only because some copy managed to slip through without him seeing it. I can't emphasise that point enough.

He was on the phone on a nightly basis to production staff, telling them what headline to change, what copy to cut. In some cases he would take it upon himself to make these changes, without telling anyone. Guess who wrote today's front page story in which he is portrayed as a fearless defender of free speech?

The Post's coverage of the King's speech, in which the headline accused Thaksin of arrogance, upset Thaksin. But as I say, some things managed to slip through without Veera changing them.

The chairman apparently has a son who works at the Post who has highest-level access to what goes through the system. He phones Veera, who in turn phones the night staff to tell them what changes to make. The guy was a stooge, and his successor looks no better.

If Kowit had any spine, would refuse to take the job until any ''doubt'' about the Post's independence was cleared up.

Let me tidy this up for you a little. True, the board tried a few months ago to get rid of Veera. But your portrayal of him as a fearless proponent of truth and freedom of speech is way off the mark.

No, let me tidy this up a little for you.

Veera cut copy at the behest of the chairman of the board. Normally that would have kept the chairman happy, but last week Veera became overzealous and spiked a column by a woman who regards the chairman as a personal friend. She took offence.

The above is one of many stories going round the Post newsroom at the moment. It's a side issue. The story concerned the Bangkok Fashion City "extravaganza". In actual fact, senior editorial restructuring has been on the cards for at least a few months, if not a year or so.

He was on the phone on a nightly basis to production staff, telling them what headline to change, what copy to cut. In some cases he would take it upon himself to make these changes, without telling anyone.

No, the ex-senior editor was in charge of signing off pages; a position now held by the deputy editor. To my knowledge, which is quite extensive, the above is not possible given the production process and the pagination system used. Veera could not access the Post's pagination system himself, from home, "without telling anyone".

The chairman apparently has a son who works at the Post who has highest-level access to what goes through the system. He phones Veera, who in turn phones the night staff to tell them what changes to make. The guy was a stooge, and his successor looks no better.

Aaah, so you don't know what you're talking about. No, the chairman doesn't have a son who works at the Post. The person to whom you are referring did not call Veera on a nightly basis.

If Kowit had any spine, would refuse to take the job until any ''doubt'' about the Post's independence was cleared up.

On that we agree.

[mrentoul]

The above is one of many stories going round the Post newsroom at the moment. It's a side issue. The story concerned the Bangkok Fashion City "extravaganza". In actual fact, senior editorial restructuring has been on the cards for at least a few months, if not a year or so.

Who says? The guy has been in the job only...what...18 months. You're telling me that six months into his term his fate was already sealed?

Who can know what really went on in the board room? Suffice to say that the board must have thought he was no good at the job.

No, the ex-senior editor was in charge of signing off pages; a position now held by the deputy editor. To my knowledge, which is quite extensive, the above is not possible given the production process and the pagination system used. Veera could not access the Post's pagination system himself, from home, "without telling anyone".

And this person is...who. By the way, who said anything about remote control from home? You seem to have a rather active imagination.

[lamphun]

The above is one of many stories going round the Post newsroom at the moment. It's a side issue. The story concerned the Bangkok Fashion City "extravaganza". In actual fact, senior editorial restructuring has been on the cards for at least a few months, if not a year or so.

Who says? The guy has been in the job only...what...18 months. You're telling me that six months into his term his fate was already sealed?

Who can know what really went on in the board room? Suffice to say that the board must have thought he was no good at the job.

No, the ex-senior editor was in charge of signing off pages; a position now held by the deputy editor. To my knowledge, which is quite extensive, the above is not possible given the production process and the pagination system used. Veera could not access the Post's pagination system himself, from home, "without telling anyone".

And this person is...who. By the way, who said anything about remote control from home? You seem to have a rather active imagination.

Looks like there's two factions fighting it out at the post.

The weathermen vs. the journos perhaps ?

Fraid the editor and the rest have lost all over the last year. To cry government interference now is a bit rich.

[plachon]

Mrentoul, you better keep your head down lad, or you'll be next in the firing line at this rate! Don't forget to wear your "I love Thaksin"badge each day at work.

As I said in a different thread just a couple of weeks ago, The Post lost me as a loyal reader/customer for the past 13 years (with a few years away here and there), when your bosses introduced the on-line registration (without any consultation or warning) and the hard copy has been going downhill for the past couple of years (funnily enough, just about coinciding with our Dear Leader's arrival as PM). I might buy the odd copy in the future, but only for comparative or boredom-relief purposes - I can think of better uses for the 20 baht than lining the shareholder's pockets.

However, apropos whether Veera was a critic or a boardroom stooge, I think the answer is somewhere between. He may have let slip the odd critical article or editorial, but the on the whole his own editorials were on the weak side of insipid in content, and could be eclipsed by several other writer's insights and ability to get to the core of Thai politics and life. Kowit I imagine will be a chip off the old block. Why can't they put Kanjana Spindler in the hot seat, or even better, Sanitisuda Ekachai. A bit of gender balance is what is needed in Thai editorial circles is what I say!

[hacknew]

The above is one of many stories going round the Post newsroom at the moment. It's a side issue. The story concerned the Bangkok Fashion City "extravaganza". In actual fact, senior editorial restructuring has been on the cards for at least a few months, if not a year or so.

No, the ex-senior editor was in charge of signing off pages; a position now held by the deputy editor. To my knowledge, which is quite extensive, the above is not possible given the production process and the pagination system used. Veera could not access the Post's pagination system himself, from home, "without telling anyone".

Who says? The guy has been in the job only...what...18 months. You're telling me that six months into his term his fate was already sealed?

Who can know what really went on in the board room? Suffice to say that the board must have thought he was no good at the job.

I wrote a lengthy reply to this and then decided to change it. Mrentoul clearly works at the Post and thus knows to a greater extent than I as to what's going on. I can only speak from rumour and hearsay from others similarly "in the know".

[mrentoul]

Mrentoul clearly works at the Post and thus knows to a greater extent than I as to what's going on. I can only speak from rumour and hearsay from others similarly "in the know".

You're right, I do work there. I enjoyed your emphatic response to The Quill's post above, in which you loftily dismissed as a ''side issue'' a theory doing the rounds on Friday night that Veera was sacked after spiking a column.

I thought the poster made the reasonable point that a number of factors probably contributed to his sacking.

The demise of that fashion column - as trifling as it seems to us - may well have been one factor. A couple of senior editors I spoke to on Friday certainly thought so.

No, the ex-senior editor was in charge of signing off pages; a position now held by the deputy editor. To my knowledge, which is quite extensive

Extensive...sure. Another claim you dismiss is that editorial staff were told what to cut from their copy.

For obvious reasons, I can't talk about these claims in any detail. But you might like to ask your ''sources'' why they are feeding you information which appears so contrary to the direct experience of employees on the paper.

Get my drift?

[Bluecat]

Mrentoul,

Since you are the only (?) insider we have here, what is your opinion on the question?

What has been the most important factor? Are we just, like anybody else, jumping onto the wrong conclusions because of what we read or heard before?

Your comments (and some others) made me more doubtful of government interference since in a Thai company, offending the Chairman or anybody close to him , even in what we may think is a very trifling way is a sure way to get the "death penalty",...

[mrentoul]

Your comments (and some others) made me more doubtful of government interference since in a Thai company, offending the Chairman or anybody close to him, even in what we may think is a very trifling way is a sure way to get the "death penalty"

What can I say? The censorship was blatant and applied on a daily basis. It affected everybody.

I am not going to tell you how it worked, because I'm (still) an employee.

I hope things will change now the journalists have made their protest.

[Bluecat]

I hope things will change now the journalists have made their protest.

The world media is now following this case, and I would be surprised if PM Thaksin says that the media has no freedom to write what they want.

This is the start for a free Thai press, but it can take time before they dare!

I really hope so but the international media or any media for this matter has a very short attention span on any story and I am afraid this "story" will be no different,...

[george]

‘Post’ union joins fight for press freedom

BANGKOK: The Bangkok Post’s labour union plans to seek reassurance from management that the removal of editor Veera Prateepchaikul was not a result of political pressure and would not affect editorial independence.

The union is picking up where nearly 100 Post journalists left off. Their statement of concern submitted on Friday failed to get a “satisfactory” response from management, a union source said yesterday.

“Many reporters still don’t believe management’s explanation that Veera’s transfer was meant to facilitate expansion of the publishing group,” said the source.

Suthikiati Chirathivat, chairman of Post Publishing’s executive board, who had a tense two-hour meeting with the reporters on Friday, insisted that Veera was “promoted” to deputy editor-in-chief of the company.

But Post reporters say that Veera had been under pressure from the management following a series of “negative” news reports and articles about the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

They said that his transfer was an act of bowing in to pressure from politicians to protect business interests.

“Nobody believes him [suthikiati] because we know full well how the government has attempted to force the Bangkok Post to change content critical of those in power, especially the prime minister,” a Post reporter said yesterday.

Post journalists have received strong backing from other newspapers, academics, political action groups and press associations, including the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand.

The union source declined to say what step would be taken if management failed to clarify the reasons for Veera’s transfer.

In a report yesterday, the Bangkok Post cited the Campaign for Popular Media Reform as saying Veera’s removal was politically influenced and that it was a double blow because he was president of the Thai Journalists Association. The report, headlined “Dark influence leads to editor’s removal”, was published on page three and ran all the details of the media watchdog’s strong statement.

--The Nation 2004-02-23