Thai seminar: Hate speech an 'obstacle to democracy'

[webfact]

SEMINAR
Hate speech an 'obstacle to democracy'
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

Research shows that most partisan media is not professional and does not follow a journalistic code of conduct, ethics

BANGKOK: -- Political hate speech is prevalent in all types of Thai media and while there's no consensus on exactly what constitutes hate speech, there are no clear measures to tackle the issue either, researchers said.

Hate speech is particularly noticeable on partisan satellite TV and community radios, a study conducted by Chulalongkorn University's Media Policy Studies Centre discovered.

"If they don't play it hard, they won't have [loyal] listeners and hence no ads," researcher Chanansara Oranop na Ayutthaya said. "However, though hate speech provides instant gratification and attracts lots of fans, it is not conducive to democracy."

Chanansara, who presented the findings at Bangkok's Montien Hotel yesterday, cited several examples including a photograph circulated by ASTV satellite TV showing Sondhi Limthongkul, co-leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, holding a can of insecticide that is apparently aimed at the opposition Democrat Party, often compared to a cockroach.

Similarly, the anti-government partisan media has decided to put the red shirts in the "brainwashed masses" slot, Chanansara said, adding that those perceived to be against the monarchy are usually advised to leave the Kingdom.

Hate speech can be divided into three categories: stereotyping others in a degrading fashion; dehumanising the other party; and inciting violence. She said hate speech in the third category should be regulated through law, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) and media self-censorship. However, she said, the biggest problem is that nearly all community television and radio stations were not members of any professional media association.

Somchai Suwanban, managing director of Thai PBS and a commentator on the study, said partisan TV stations would not exist in a truly democratic country because its one-sided stance would not meet the standards set by the media code of conduct.

However, Ubonrat Siriyuwasak, a former lecturer of communication arts at Chulalongkorn University, warned that the temptation to censor the media might eventually lead to widespread control and a repressed society.

As for print media, researchers found that of the six publications studied, content of the now-defunct Voice of Taksin magazine contained the highest level of hate speech at 42.1 per cent, followed by ASTV Manager Daily at 28.5 per cent, lead researcher Pichitra Tsukamoto said.

Thepchai Yong, the group editor-in-chief of Nation Multimedia Group, who was present to comment on print media, said there was a need for people who can help cut down on hate speech.

Chaiwat Satha-anand, professor of Political Science at Thammasat University and a leading expert on peace studies, said that though hate speech and hate crimes were linked, this link was quite difficult to identify. Hate speech might trigger events that may turn into hate crimes, but nobody can predict what will become the last straw.

"Hate speech is a litmus test for the marketplace of ideas," Chaiwat said, adding that free speech also required limits. "I will not tolerate child pornography or [calls for] cannibalism, but I cannot say what [the limits] should be."

In relation to hate speech on online media, Chulalongkorn University's Pirongrong Ramasoota said posts related to the lese majeste law and the monarchy could not be publicly examined and analysed due to legal constraints.

"Many things cannot be clarified or discussed. Even if we notice it, we cannot convey it publicly," Pirongrong, an assistant professor of Communication Arts, said.

As for hate speech related to ethnicity, Pichitra said issues of crime and illegal gambling complicated hate speech against Myanmar migrant workers in Samut Sakhon province. "The very issue of ethnicity is sensitive," she said.


-- The Nation 2013-07-27

[NongKhaiKid]

Amazing Thailand indeed as in another thread we have been discussing a television series depicting high school students, quite accurately I believe, and now they are told to tone it down as it's not what should be shown.

There are other taboo subjects like corruption which is rarely shown in any soaps yet politicians and commentators can use very vitriolic language almost checked, well except for the ever popular defamation suits which often take years to get sorted out.

[chainarong]

I didn't think there were any guidelines , for media to follow , not only in print , but electronic also , the garbage that is on Thai TV leaves one thinking that I am surrounded by morons, as for hate speech , what does that mean, that I say Thaskin is a fruit cake , is that hate, one could rely on the media guide lines set by the government, but then all you could write was good news, this certainly is a topic that could lead to hate.

[noitom]

Myanmar migrant workers "is a sensitive issue." Why? Is it Thai need to abuse disadvantaged human beings and traffic in them for sex and slave labor in order to make money? Is this the sensitive issue?

[Thai at Heart]

I think he is overplaying the meaning of hate speech.

Being derogatory or intolerant of someone isn't hateful or inciting of violence.

[Payboy]

"Hate speech", bit of a cone-down after "dichotomous", but then a dictionary can only offer so much.

[OzMick]

"Voice of Taksin magazine contained the highest level of hate speech at 42.1 per cent"

Now there's a surprise, who would have thunk it. I suppose the the other 57.9% was devoted to "How great thou art".

But if you want a real mind-blower, a collection of red shirt speeches from 2010 would do the trick. Put in alphabetical order of speakers, I doubt most would bother reading past A for Arisman.

Edited July 27, 2013 by OzMick

[Thai at Heart]

"Voice of Taksin magazine contained the highest level of hate speech at 42.1 per cent"

Now there's a surprise, who would have thunk it. I suppose the the other 57.9% was devoted to "How great thou art".

But if you want a real mind-blower, a collection of red shirt speeches from 2010 would do the trick. Put in alphabetical order of speakers, I doubt most would bother reading past A for Arisman.

It would be interesting what they consider "hate speech".

If Sonthi handling a bottle of bug spray and calling the Dems cockroaches, it once again higlights how thin skinned everyone appears to be in this country.

Hate speech goes beyond calling people khwai and malaeng saap. What he is talking about is TV channels or magazines that are pushing emotive one sided political agenda. I wonder which TV channel they got the modus operandi from ? Fox News by any chance. That said, the TV was on in the background last night, I forget the channel, but it had a purple emblem, and some commentator was shouting his opinions about the monk and the rice scheme into the microphone for about 20 minutes.

I hated him very much, and wanted to drive to the studio and smack him around the head to get him to stop shouting.

Seems that the, if you don't like it leave the country is even a common Thai retort. Where should they go?

Edited July 27, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[LomSak27]

I think he is overplaying the meaning of hate speech.

Being derogatory or intolerant of someone isn't hateful or inciting of violence.

Have you ever listened to those community radio stations? They are nasty. And the yellows do it as much as the REDS. And guess who both of them dump on when not going hammer and tong at each other?

Some of the wildest stuff I have ever heard was on Sondhi vid clips. On the a more positive note it sealed the deal about not making any investments for the long term in Thailand. There is a common belief that if only we could get rid of one guy, or one party, everything would be peachy. Many on TV promote that dream. It's a great dream it just has no connection with current realities.

Edited July 27, 2013 by LomSak27

[Thai at Heart]

I think he is overplaying the meaning of hate speech.

Being derogatory or intolerant of someone isn't hateful or inciting of violence.

Have you ever listened to those community radio stations? They are nasty. And the yellows do it as much as the REDS. And guess who both of them dump on when not going hammer and tong at each other?

Some of the wildest stuff I have ever heard was on Sondhi vid clips. On the a more positive note it sealed the deal about not making any investments for the long term in Thailand. There is a common belief that if only we could get rid of one guy, or one party, everything would be peachy. Many on TV promote that dream. It's a great dream it just has no connection with current realities.

No doubt, there are very fundamental issues about the political future of Thailand, because no one will take the bull by the horns and reform anything properly for the benefit of the country.

Every side has it's agenda and they use elections or coups to commandeer the system for their own benefit.

[LomSak27]

In a shame culture, it can't really be ones fault, hence shame, so someone or something must be found to affix the blame. There has never been any restraints on doing that. Case in point check out the military - say 60s, 70s and 80's and pre WWII. It is how things are done, hand wringing op ed pieces aside, always will. Does that make you feel safe?

[OzMick]

"Voice of Taksin magazine contained the highest level of hate speech at 42.1 per cent"

Now there's a surprise, who would have thunk it. I suppose the the other 57.9% was devoted to "How great thou art".

But if you want a real mind-blower, a collection of red shirt speeches from 2010 would do the trick. Put in alphabetical order of speakers, I doubt most would bother reading past A for Arisman.

It would be interesting what they consider "hate speech".

If Sonthi handling a bottle of bug spray and calling the Dems cockroaches, it once again higlights how thin skinned everyone appears to be in this country.

Hate speech goes beyond calling people khwai and malaeng saap. What he is talking about is TV channels or magazines that are pushing emotive one sided political agenda. I wonder which TV channel they got the modus operandi from ? Fox News by any chance. That said, the TV was on in the background last night, I forget the channel, but it had a purple emblem, and some commentator was shouting his opinions about the monk and the rice scheme into the microphone for about 20 minutes.

I hated him very much, and wanted to drive to the studio and smack him around the head to get him to stop shouting.

Seems that the, if you don't like it leave the country is even a common Thai retort. Where should they go?

"........wanted to drive to the studio and smack him around the head to get him to stop shouting."

The normal alternative is to change channels, or more extremely, turn the idiot box off. Is your missus in charge of the remote control?

[Thai at Heart]

"Voice of Taksin magazine contained the highest level of hate speech at 42.1 per cent"

Now there's a surprise, who would have thunk it. I suppose the the other 57.9% was devoted to "How great thou art".

But if you want a real mind-blower, a collection of red shirt speeches from 2010 would do the trick. Put in alphabetical order of speakers, I doubt most would bother reading past A for Arisman.

It would be interesting what they consider "hate speech".

If Sonthi handling a bottle of bug spray and calling the Dems cockroaches, it once again higlights how thin skinned everyone appears to be in this country.

Hate speech goes beyond calling people khwai and malaeng saap. What he is talking about is TV channels or magazines that are pushing emotive one sided political agenda. I wonder which TV channel they got the modus operandi from ? Fox News by any chance. That said, the TV was on in the background last night, I forget the channel, but it had a purple emblem, and some commentator was shouting his opinions about the monk and the rice scheme into the microphone for about 20 minutes.

I hated him very much, and wanted to drive to the studio and smack him around the head to get him to stop shouting.

Seems that the, if you don't like it leave the country is even a common Thai retort. Where should they go?

"........wanted to drive to the studio and smack him around the head to get him to stop shouting."

The normal alternative is to change channels, or more extremely, turn the idiot box off. Is your missus in charge of the remote control?

Sorry, trying to explain how emotional the TV appears to be, when they talk about hate speech. He was literally barking into the microphone. Edited July 27, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[GreenSnapper]

The term "hate speech" is often abused in the West to criminalize free speech or critics. It is a very dangerous development there, because it is basically anti-democratic or neo-stalinist.

While some real "hate speech" isn't very nice, a free society must tolerate it. If you prohibit hate speech, you basically prohibit free speech.

Seems like Thai politicians are learning from the West how to restrict free speech. Not a good sign, but Thailand was never a free speech country anyway.

[EBlair48]

Banning any speech is a detriment to democracy. If I want to hate someone, so what? let the reader form her own opinion

[Thai at Heart]

Banning any speech is a detriment to democracy. If I want to hate someone, so what? let the reader form her own opinion

Name calling in political terms is not hate speech. Calling people stupid or buffaloes might be insulting is not hate speech.

[antfish]

Chanansara, who presented the findings at Bangkok's Montien Hotel yesterday, cited several examples including a photograph circulated by ASTV satellite TV showing Sondhi Limthongkul, co-leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, holding a can of insecticide that is apparently aimed at the opposition Democrat Party, often compared to a cockroach.

Thats an old meme, made by all sides of the political spectrum in Thailand from left to right and not just made by Sondhi.

Originally Its a pun on the Democrats survival skills being still there as political party after so many coups the country has seen. Not sure if Sondhi uses it in that context.

[tomross46]

Every country has it's hate speech. Look at the middle east, noting but hate speech described as factual information. Many cases the facts are twisted to be what the presenter wants. This was very prevalent in the USA, during the Zimmerman trial. News media convicted Zimmerman before and information was available. After the trial there was more vicious hate attacks, even though the information provided by the prosecution did not indicate anything about hate. There is so much anti Islam hate in the media, you can not listen to CNN, MSMBC or BBC, without being indoctrinated with hate.

The media gives us the truth they want us to hear, they tell us that they gather the news and present to the listener so we can understand it. They do not understand, present the facts and let ,me determine what it means. Do not treat us like we are idiots and do not understand. CNN is one of the worse offenders.

Edited July 27, 2013 by tomross46

[Bkungbank]

Sonthi have no guts to put candidates for election, He doesn't practice of what he preach " Democracy"

Only bark from behind, A real hero go to war either win or die ! This is a real hero.

Don't play no vote! grab seats in Parliament fight like a hero.

Edited July 27, 2013 by Bkungbank

[zaphodbeeblebrox]

Chulalongkorn University's Media Policy Studies Centre:

Putting Hitler on a graduation banner of superheroes - "no problem"

Calling Yingluck incompetent - "hate speech"

Anything to justify MCOT censorship.

[LomSak27]

The term "hate speech" is often abused in the West to criminalize free speech or critics. It is a very dangerous development there, because it is basically anti-democratic or neo-stalinist.

I believe there is a some confusion here ... how about praising or promoting killing of your opponents? Is that ok? see its one thing say naughty things =- "He's ugly and stupid" Its another to advocate killing or praise murders that have happend - to encourage or promote violence.

And I put that in a different catagory than hate speech. However yes the article does not make that distinction now does it. Perhaps worried that actual quotes or examples of "hate speech" might cause loss of face.

But do not believe me - check out some of those community radio freaks - maybe I have just caught them on a bad night.