MEDIA
Media urged to focus more on fact than opinion
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Thai mainstream mass media should base their reports more on fact than opinion and partisan bias as is prevalent nowadays, Chulalongkorn University political scientist Charas Suwanmala said yesterday.

"Even when they use facts, [the media] are unreliable because they have become partisan. Many have been bought out so they can be used in the political battle," said Charas, who was formerly the dean of the university's political science faculty.

Charas made this comment at a symposium held at Chulalongkorn yesterday to discuss the trend of circulating political information. The event was held by Media Inside Out, a Bangkok-based non-governmental organisation promoting media literacy and scrutiny. He said that because of this partisanship, he only watched the Thai PBS television channel for political news and read a few newspapers, which he refused to name.

"Thais consume very little factual information from the mass media - perhaps just 5 per cent," he said.

Meanwhile, deputy Democrat Party leader Alongkorn Ponlaboot - himself a former journalist - admitted that at times it was difficult to differentiate opinion from fact in the media. This, he added, might actually be a new trend in news presentation.

On the other hand, he said, people are usually flooded with information because of the proliferation of mainstream media - particularly cable television - as well as social media. He pointed out that even Parliament had a news centre that selected and circulated vital pieces of news among MPs.

Atikuek Sawansuk, editor of the "Intelligence" programme at pro-government Voice TV, said broadcast media had the tendency to present what they thought the viewers were interested in. Therefore, well-known political talk shows like the one led by Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda on Channel 3 tended to be "superficial, without depth but interesting".


-- The Nation 2013-09-27

"Thais consume very little factual information from the mass media - perhaps just 5 per cent,"

Because telling the truth lands you in court in this country.

Edited September 26, 201312 yr by notmyself

"Even when they use facts, [the media] are unreliable because they have become partisan. Many have been bought out so they can be used in the political battle,"

Pretty much the way things have always been everywhere in the world. Far more effective though in places where the education system produces useful idiots instead of critical thinkers.

"Thais consume very little factual information from the mass media - perhaps just 5 per cent,"

Because telling the truth lands you in court in this country.

Or in hospital or even worse the final trip to a temple.

Thais consume very little factual information should be a complete sentence. The fact that this political scientist states that the Thai press has been bought out is noteworthy. Thai journalists don't relate to the idea of "facts," checking, affirming, and validating sources. Thai reporters and journalists merely copy down sound bites and notes verbatim from whatever is being said by a whichever supposed authority. It would be interesting to know if the political scientist here has dug in to any of the recent writing of the folks who all hang out at the FCCT? Articles, stories, investigative journalism are rarely if ever seen by a foreign journalist resident in Thailand and/or a member of the FCCT. (Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand)

"Thais consume very little factual information from the mass media - perhaps just 5 per cent,"

Because telling the truth lands you in court in this country.

Or in hospital or even worse the final trip to a temple.

As they say... You want go see doctor or go see Buddha, up to you.

"Even when they use facts, [the media] are unreliable because they have become partisan. Many have been bought out so they can be used in the political battle,"

Pretty much the way things have always been everywhere in the world. Far more effective though in places where the education system produces useful idiots instead of critical thinkers.

And a preponderance of not useful.

Pretty much the way things have always been everywhere in the world. Far more effective though in places where the education system produces useful idiots instead of critical thinkers.

I think the last part of that sentence should read... 'useless idiots instead of critical thinkers.'

These concerns... coming from the "University" that sees no problem with its students sieg hieling cartoon characterizations of Hitler for graduation photos?

Can't speak for the Thai languge newspapers as my reading of Thai is very basic but the English language newspapers, whilst aspiring to be accepted as impartial mainstream media, are sadly biased. In the case of B.P. I'm convinced that articles are deliberately skewed to be sympathetic to the right-wing bigots who, until recently, filled up the letters page with their PAD drivel. I say until recently because there seems to be a slow emergence of correspondence from more liberal contributors. Early days but way to go guys!

A partisan use of facts? - whatever next!

If people were educated enough that they could split fact from opinion for themselves and if they cared enough to try and find out the truth for themselves, then maybe things would change. Since that is a big fat NO for the majority of Thai people and the flock of sheep believe whatever they are told by people with lots of money and their own agendas, nothing will change.,.,.

In a country where even your MP's believe that "White Lies" are acceptable; how do you justify the logic of this article?

You mean to tell me that all my opinions I've posted have not been made on fact but yet the opinion of another?! Blasphemy!

This is hilarious. With virtually no investigative journalism, and a crazy defamation law, do they want the politicians to control the message 150?

The Thai people seem to have a savvy understanding and natural introspective analysis of the purpose of Thai media. In spite of virtually all the mainstream traditional media being pro-Democrat, at least soft yellow and/or extreme conservative the people repeatedly vote the other way. It is an interesting case study for students of media studies as in most countries media manipulation affects electoral outcome. Why does the mainstream media in Thailand have so little sway over opinion? The mainstream print media are the voice of the ultra rich and powerful in Thailand.

The Thai people seem to have a savvy understanding and natural introspective analysis of the purpose of Thai media. In spite of virtually all the mainstream traditional media being pro-Democrat, at least soft yellow and/or extreme conservative the people repeatedly vote the other way. It is an interesting case study for students of media studies as in most countries media manipulation affects electoral outcome. Why does the mainstream media in Thailand have so little sway over opinion? The mainstream print media are the voice of the ultra rich and powerful in Thailand.

Because Thais, on average aren't great readers of papers and the TV news lacks analysis.

This is something for Bangkok Post , Democratic party media crony to think about !!

Can't speak for the Thai languge newspapers as my reading of Thai is very basic but the English language newspapers, whilst aspiring to be accepted as impartial mainstream media, are sadly biased. In the case of B.P. I'm convinced that articles are deliberately skewed to be sympathetic to the right-wing bigots who, until recently, filled up the letters page with their PAD drivel. I say until recently because there seems to be a slow emergence of correspondence from more liberal contributors. Early days but way to go guys!

Follow the family:

Supakorn Vejjajiva President and Chief Operating Officer of Post Publishing Public Co. Ltd.

Kalaya Sophonpanich, daugther-in-law of Chin Sophonpanich, Bangkok Bank founder is a leading Democrat MP. Chartsiri Sophonpanich grandson of Chin is a Director of Post Publishing Public Company Limited.

Now just imagine heads exploding if the COO of the premier foreign language news media organ and associated Thai ones happened to have the family name Shinawatra. Imagine the ruckus if one of the nations biggest banks was linked to the Peau Thai party and a major news organ. You will not find many Thai people who believe the BKK Post to be impartial. Then again personally I believe there is nothing wrong with partial media sources (as in reality all news sources are bias!) provided those sources openly make their leanings and connections clear. In fairness the organs of the PAD and Red shirts are a lot more honest in this respect as they are blatant about where they are coming from.

Thais consume very little factual information should be a complete sentence. The fact that this political scientist states that the Thai press has been bought out is noteworthy. Thai journalists don't relate to the idea of "facts," checking, affirming, and validating sources. Thai reporters and journalists merely copy down sound bites and notes verbatim from whatever is being said by a whichever supposed authority. It would be interesting to know if the political scientist here has dug in to any of the recent writing of the folks who all hang out at the FCCT? Articles, stories, investigative journalism are rarely if ever seen by a foreign journalist resident in Thailand and/or a member of the FCCT. (Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand)

I wonder how you manage that rather large jump from local Thai journalists to the FCCT? Almost no local journalists ever hang out at the FCCT (unfortunately), and the only Thai journalists that hang out there work for international media.

You also have to look at the difference between local media, and international media, and that they work most of the time on very different stories as it is completely different markets and audiences. Local corruption scandals in Thailand, for example, are local stories, and are rarely of enough importance to turn into international stories.

Since 2010 very few issues in Thailand took place that had the potential to turn into big enough stories, when at the same time you have the mid-east conflicts, the changes in Burma (to stay regional), etc. That's where foreign media spent their resources on, because that is what the market demands.

Can't speak for the Thai languge newspapers as my reading of Thai is very basic but the English language newspapers, whilst aspiring to be accepted as impartial mainstream media, are sadly biased. In the case of B.P. I'm convinced that articles are deliberately skewed to be sympathetic to the right-wing bigots who, until recently, filled up the letters page with their PAD drivel. I say until recently because there seems to be a slow emergence of correspondence from more liberal contributors. Early days but way to go guys!

Follow the family:

Supakorn Vejjajiva President and Chief Operating Officer of Post Publishing Public Co. Ltd.

Kalaya Sophonpanich, daugther-in-law of Chin Sophonpanich, Bangkok Bank founder is a leading Democrat MP. Chartsiri Sophonpanich grandson of Chin is a Director of Post Publishing Public Company Limited.

Now just imagine heads exploding if the COO of the premier foreign language news media organ and associated Thai ones happened to have the family name Shinawatra. Imagine the ruckus if one of the nations biggest banks was linked to the Peau Thai party and a major news organ. You will not find many Thai people who believe the BKK Post to be impartial. Then again personally I believe there is nothing wrong with partial media sources (as in reality all news sources are bias!) provided those sources openly make their leanings and connections clear. In fairness the organs of the PAD and Red shirts are a lot more honest in this respect as they are blatant about where they are coming from.

Malaya sophonpanich was front and centre with the PAD when the stormed government house first time, and Sindhi admitted that the old banking families funded the first PAD protests.....

These concerns... coming from the "University" that sees no problem with its students sieg hieling cartoon characterizations of Hitler for graduation photos?

blah blah blah

Edited September 27, 201312 yr by I Like Thai

"Even when they use facts, [the media] are unreliable because they have become partisan. Many have been bought out so they can be used in the political battle,"

Pretty much the way things have always been everywhere in the world. Far more effective though in places where the education system produces useful idiots instead of critical thinkers.

Or in hospital or even worse the final trip to a temple.

"Thais consume very little factual information from the mass media - perhaps just 5 per cent,"

Because telling the truth lands you in court in this country.

Thais consume very little factual information should be a complete sentence. The fact that this political scientist states that the Thai press has been bought out is noteworthy. Thai journalists don't relate to the idea of "facts," checking, affirming, and validating sources. Thai reporters and journalists merely copy down sound bites and notes verbatim from whatever is being said by a whichever supposed authority. It would be interesting to know if the political scientist here has dug in to any of the recent writing of the folks who all hang out at the FCCT? Articles, stories, investigative journalism are rarely if ever seen by a foreign journalist resident in Thailand and/or a member of the FCCT. (Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand)

I like them all.

Is there in decent schools in the world that teach journalism the proper way. Or are they all set up on the way to sell the most papers. Honesty is secondary.

said the tought police