Thai Media bodies call for restraint and non-confrontation: Feb 2 election

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Media bodies call for restraint and non-confrontation



BANGKOK: -- Three media organizations issued a joint statement on Thursday warning that the February 2 election could lead to more division in the Thai society and would exacerbate the current political conflict if it is held under the present tense political climate.

“For an election to lead the country out of the conflict, it is imperative that there is a process to build up mutual understanding among the stakeholders through consultative mechanism and collective decision making to creaft election rules which are acceptable to all with a common objective – that is to find a way out for the country to move forward so it will not fall into the vicious circle of serious conflict again,” according to the statement issued by the Thai Journalists Association, the Thai Broadcasting Journalists Association and the National Broadcasting Council of Thailand.

On the bright side, the three media bodies said the current crisis is regarded as an opportunity for Thailand to advance from representative democracy to participatory democracy, hence all parties concerned must help set a guarantee to move toward national reform in all aspects.

Regarding the People’s Democratic Reform Committee, the three media organizations urged the group to maintain their peaceful approach for reform. However, they urged the group to consider holding talks with the government in order to work out a solution to the conflict.

As for the government, the media organizations urged the government not to practice double standard and not to use the state mechanism to pour fuel into the fire of conflict, especially to refrain from mobilizing counter-protests.

Touching on journalists, the three media organizations said they must stick to their code of conduct and do their job straightforwardly. They also urged media owners not to interfere with the editorial affairs.

All parties in the conflict should exercise restraint and to avoid confrontation which will only contribute to the escalation of the conflict, said the media organizations.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/media-bodies-call-restraint-non-confrontation/


-- Thai PBS 2013-12-20

[NongKhaiKid]

All the right things to say but with the state of politics who is likely to listen ?

The country has really sunk into a non-acceptance state of mind if results etc. don't go their way and it's impossible to see how this can be changed because give and take doesn't seem to translate/

Let's not forget too the ever popular Face aspect.

[Smokemachine]

The thing is YL and her doggies insist 2 feb election. Election first then reform.

Why?? I guess everyone know well.

If she really think for the nation, she should have chosen reform first and then election. She should be discussing the reform plan now.

[FangFerang]

I wish both sides would do more than give vague outlines. They are both inciting greater divisiveness.

They leave Thai moderates without a choice in the matter at all.