It's time to think twice before reacting online: Thai politics

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
It's time to think twice before reacting online
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The role of social media is becoming larger in the Southeast Asia - a subject that was discussed by members of mainstream media at the Online News Providers Association seminar on Thursday in Bangkok under the theme "Social Media's Influence on Online News Publishers".

In some Southeast Asian countries where traditional media are under both direct and indirect control of government, people often have no choice to but rely on alternative channels for real news.

For instance, members of the media from Cambodia and Vietnam said the press was so controlled in their countries that people had no choice but to rely on reports shared via social media. In contrast, mainstream media in the Philippines and Thailand rely on social media to share the latest updates with their readers.

Now, with the rapid growth of mobile devices, availability of the third-generation wireless broadband network and flourishing social-media websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google Plus, more and more people are able to keep tabs on news in real time.

Of course, at a time like now - when yet another political crisis has flared up in Thailand - having the latest updates at your fingertips is especially important. Thais, particularly those living overseas, are able to keep an eye on exactly what is happening thanks to the latest updates from news agencies, journalists and citizens. Plus, everybody gets to see what people from both sides of the battle are saying.

However, this instant access to news comes with its own challenges - the biggest being what is true and what is not. On social media, comments posted can spread very fast and go really far from the original source. That's why it is important for people to be responsible and check facts before sharing messages.

One good example of how far "wrong" information can go was a piece of news posted on media websites on Thursday afternoon. This report alleged that anti-government protesters had cut off water and power supplies at the Royal Thai Police headquarters, the nearby Office of Police Forensic Science and the Police General Hospital.

This piece of news went viral instantly, with the focus on the alleged cut of power and water supply at the Police General Hospital. Allegations from both sides started flying around until the hospital director issued an official statement saying the power supply had never been cut.

With a crisis, there is always a lot of pressure for the media to provide up-to-date news and for the audience to consume this news. However, things get tougher and more tense when people start reacting, commenting, sharing and re-tweeting without waiting for the real truth to come out.

Maybe it is time for social-media users to sit back and study the situation first before reacting.

There is enough tension already.


-- The Nation 2013-11-30

[chooka]

The Nation wrote this? The same paper that rushes to get half cocked stories out without having all the facts first.

[wprime]

So in other words, stop reading the mixed opinions of the internet, instead only read our pro-government media.

[rwdrwdrwd]

So in other words, stop reading the mixed opinions of the internet, instead only read our pro-government media.

Yep, or 'please wait until we get a chance to prepare the real truth for you to consume'

[NongKhaiKid]

So in other words, stop reading the mixed opinions of the internet, instead only read our pro-government media.

Yep, or 'please wait until we get a chance to prepare the real truth for you to consume'

Make Jatuporn Minister for I formation, we need the truth.

[coobah666]

So another excuse to cover up this government lies and bulls@#t

[Thai at Heart]

I keep hearing reports that yingluck is the most competent, organised and honest pm the country has ever had.

Some blokes in a red shirt keep shouting it into the camera.

Did the nation just print an article saying that we shouldn't check out new media sources.

What an utter rag may.

[HyperRai]

Of course media will be used as a weapon like in other conflicts too. The truth will be revealed after the event.

[Halion]

The media in Thailand is highly manipulated and rather gun shy owing to the pressure and control influenced by the government. So often information is biased, incomplete and poorly compiled. The accuracy of what goes out both on television and in print is mundane at best with contradiction being an almost daily event. The majority of what is put out is spin doctored by the government and investigative journalism is all but non existent. Thailand practices news releases clouded with innuendo and non cognoscente information. The quality of what the public are feed on a daily basis is one of the main reasons why people are turning to social media outlets. Perhaps not much better but the reason is simply that the public can not trust Thai officials as has been shown with routine monotony..

[chainarong]

The social media should be regarded as the newspapers are, only believe half of what you read, unless you are there, at the actual scene , it is the interpretation, talk the gossip of the sender and of course lurking in the back ground the government thought police ,the propaganda machine , making misleading , deliberate trouble to discredit the subject of the attack, on a side issue i'd believe Abhisit than Yingluck any day.

[noitom]

The Nation wrote this? The same paper that rushes to get half cocked stories out without having all the facts first.

And really now. The Nation is quoting some bureaucrat stating that the reports were false. Who can people really believe? The Nation? The bureaucrat defending his office? How about the time that the newspaper indicted the army officers in the south for running a human trafficking network and the Thai farm owner who was a business partner of the rogue army guys? Whatever happened to that news? With no follow up from the newspapers it's catch as catch can with the truth and facts.

[Tatsujin]

Of course media will be used as a weapon like in other conflicts too. The truth will be revealed after the event.

Unfortunately, no, it won't come out after the event. The "truth" will be whatever those in power will want it to be. History has shown us that. The trick nowadays is reading between the lines and getting information from many different sources and aggregating all of it to come to an educated guess based on past performance. Nothing is ever black and white. And with the current Govt/party, I tend to simply assume the opposite of whatever they say/claim, it's actually quite accurate most of the time.

[PaullyW]

The media in Thailand is highly manipulated and rather gun shy owing to the pressure and control influenced by the government. So often information is biased, incomplete and poorly compiled. The accuracy of what goes out both on television and in print is mundane at best with contradiction being an almost daily event. The majority of what is put out is spin doctored by the government and investigative journalism is all but non existent. Thailand practices news releases clouded with innuendo and non cognoscente information. The quality of what the public are feed on a daily basis is one of the main reasons why people are turning to social media outlets. Perhaps not much better but the reason is simply that the public can not trust Thai officials as has been shown with routine monotony..

Excellent post.

[Frank James]

So in other words, stop reading the mixed opinions of the internet, instead only read our pro-government media.

You think The Nation is "pro-government"? Only if the government was run by the "Democrats" (Thailand's Tories/G.O.P. equivalent). That won't happen as long as there are free elections.

[ggold]

The Nation wrote this? The same paper that rushes to get half cocked stories out without having all the facts first.

Couldn't T-visa get a better rag affiliation than the Nation?

[ggold]

So in other words, stop reading the mixed opinions of the internet, instead only read our pro-government media.

You think The Nation is "pro-government"? Only if the government was run by the "Democrats" (Thailand's Tories/G.O.P. equivalent). That won't happen as long as there are free elections.

You think The Nation is "pro-government"

They do a pretty good imitation of that sometimes!

Edited November 30, 2013 by ggold

[winstonc]

The Nation wrote this? The same paper that rushes to get half cocked stories out without having all the facts first.

Couldn't T-visa get a better rag affiliation than the Nation?

top post of the week ....

[willyumiii]

All media is bias and uninformed.

I was once interviewed by NBC news in America.

The interview took about 20 minutes.

By the time the interview was aired, it was cut and edited to about one minute.

After being edited by people who new nothing of the topic ( *Non political topic),

what I said was turned around 180 degrees and the information I was seen giving the public , on television,was totally wrong and very embarrassing to me.

I couldn't believe what I was watching myself say on the news program!

Ever since, I know how wrong the "News" presented to us can be.

(*I am a horticulturist and the interview was about avoiding frost damage to plants during an expected cold snap in California.

I am sure many people who followed my advice as presented by the media lost valuable plants to frost damage. )

Always take the news "with a grain of salt"!

Edited November 30, 2013 by willyumiii

[kimamey]

So in other words, stop reading the mixed opinions of the internet, instead only read our pro-government media.

You think The Nation is "pro-government"? Only if the government was run by the "Democrats" (Thailand's Tories/G.O.P. equivalent). That won't happen as long as there are free elections.

I was thinking the same thing. The Nation is often criticised on this forum for being pro Democrat.

I do think the report is valid as there are always stories on social media that are entirely untrue but commented on as if they were true. I've seen ones that can be checked within minutes just by using the internet.

[Sharp]

Me n the missis off to find a palm tree ;-))

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[dighambara]

However, it is human nature to believe the worst and people love to talk, so stories expand and social media expands that gossip.

Thus everyone knows knows everyone's business, no matter how untruthful.

[bkkjames]

Sounds like sour grapes IMO, actual people on the street reporting live while others sit at their desks wondering why they have become less important than they thought they were prior to things like mobile phones and twitter.

[simple1]

The Nation has failed to mention the proposed changes to the Computer Crime Act that will put in-place similar laws to Vietnam, though not as harsh, for social media commentary. The proposed changes include a two year jail sentence for damaging the reputation of the government/Thailand.

[Stradavarius37]

So in other words, stop reading the mixed opinions of the internet, instead only read our pro-government media.

You think The Nation is "pro-government"? Only if the government was run by the "Democrats" (Thailand's Tories/G.O.P. equivalent). That won't happen as long as there are free elections.

You think The Nation is "pro-government"

They do a pretty good imitation of that sometimes!

If you think the Nation is proThakin, you haven't been paying attention....