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Thailand's new internet bill should be dropped: Reporters Without Borders

george

By george
in Thailand News

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george Legendary Member

george

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Thailand - New internet bill should be dropped

Reporters Without Borders has asked the Ministry of Communications and Internet Technology to change its approach to updating the Computer Crime Act of 2007.

The law already authorizes the government to arrest journalists and bloggers for political reasons. If a newly proposed amendment were adopted, the government would have even more latitude to muzzle the independent and opposition media.

"We support the five journalists association which have protested the bill," Reporters Without Borders said. "The bill – in addition to eliminating a requirement for a judicial warrant to block a website – would allow that action without approval from the Ministry of Communications and Internet Technology, thereby distancing the law even more from international standards."

The press freedom organization added, "We request that the legislation be withdrawn in its entirety."

Any official attempt to amend the Computer Crime Act should be undertaken after consulting with representatives of the media and information sectors – a move not made in this case - RWB said. A cooperative effort would ensure that the crime of lèse-majesté could not be charged for political purposes. And expression of opinion and offenses arising from online publication would be decriminalized, the organization said.

In a joint press release on 24 October, the Thai Journalists Association, the Thai Broadcasting Journalists Association, Online News Providers Association, Information Technology Reporters and Academic Specialists on Computer Law Group declared that the bill would threaten the very infrastructure of the internet and would make website operators, internet service providers and users responsible for content.

The government has defended itself by citing a referendum held before the bill was introduced. But the media associations said that neither they, nor any online businesses, were given any participation in drafting the proposed amendment.

The 2007 law requires service providers to store individual data on web users for 90 days. Authorities may examine this information with no judicial oversight. The law also decrees prison terms for lèse-majesté, although this offense was not included in the first version of the law, in 2006.

Thailand is ranked 135 of 179 countries in the 2013 World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders

Source: Reporters Without Borders

Reporters Without Borders (RWB), or Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF), is a France-based international non-profit,non-governmental organization that promotes and defends freedom of information and freedom of the press. The organization has consultant status at the United Nations.

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-- 2013-10-28

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15Peter20 Silver Member

15Peter20

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If a newly proposed amendment were adopted, the government would have even more latitude to muzzle the independent and opposition media.

Hooray for Red/PTT democracy!

Three cheers for striving for Rank 179! It's within grasp.

Do you think Reds/PTT are anti-monarchy? If so, why has this low ranking been supported through the tightening of anti lese-majeste legislation? I would be fascinated to glance at your speculation.

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centrala Senior Member

centrala

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If a newly proposed amendment were adopted, the government would have even more latitude to muzzle the independent and opposition media.

Hooray for Red/PTT democracy!

Three cheers for striving for Rank 179! It's within grasp.

Do you think Reds/PTT are anti-monarchy? If so, why has this low ranking been supported through the tightening of anti lese-majeste legislation? I would be fascinated to glance at your speculation.
The answer to the first question is there are definitely factions within the Reds that are not shy about their anti-monarchy views, eg. Somyot.

Could you explain your second question further?

Edited by centrala
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gemini81 Platinum Member

gemini81

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Another step of this goverment to stop investigative journalism.......

and a more big step away from the track to develop Thailand into a democratic state....

Poor Thai people!!!!!! and all the ones living here!

history seems to show you only get what you fight (and vote) for. Give PTP an inch, they take 9 yards. Should be serving the public's needs and feel intimidated to violate privacy and rights; since they're not feeling it, I hope one day the public takes a stand like a man; and together, not divided up in silly various shirt colors.

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jollyhangmon Gold Member

jollyhangmon

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... => "intangible cultural heritage" bs of a capital bull,

=> DNA-samples from migrant workers (perhaps just for starters, has of course to be extended to at least all foreigners and those who might possibly think foreign ...) ,

=> unasked pics from private properties (...) ,

=> indictments against political opponents while having the cronies on an "amnesty bill" ,

=> and now a so called "update" of Computer Crime Act 2007 aiming just to silence still disturbing independent media and anyone who's opposed ...

<deleted> ?!

... well, as already stated nothing new, we've had that already sometime ago ... good job anyway, you're on the RIGHT way, just where/what to is the question (Khmer Rouge? N-Korea? New Nazi Hub?) ... to be on the safe side - until further notice - a hearty

SIEG HEIL !

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