Thai army censors media as martial law declared

[webfact]

Thai army censors media as martial law declared

BANGKOK, May 20, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's army suspended broadcasts on several television channels in a sweeping move to censor the media after the declaration of martial law across the bitterly divided nation.

The channels were suspended "in order that people will get the correct information and not distort information to deepen the conflict", according to a written order broadcast simultaneously on all television channels.

The channels ordered to stop broadcasting included three pro-government "Red Shirt" channels as well as the anti-government protesters main satellite channel Blue Sky TV -- which has shown more than six months deadly protests round-the-clock and has been key in galvanising rallies.

Television screens went blank for several seconds before the order was delivered simultaneously on each channel -- written on a sheet of paper and signed by army chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha.

The order was issued around an hour after Prayut declared the widespread censorship of the media in the interests of "national security".

The army "prohibits all media outlets from reporting or distribution of any news or still photographs detrimental to national security," said the statement by Prayut which was broadcast on every channel.

Thailand has faced months of debilitating protests aimed at ousting the government.

At least 28 people have died in gun and grenade attacks on the protests, with hundreds of others wounded.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-20

[pxlgirl]

will this somehow have an impact on this forum?

[JoeThePoster]

Not so long before Dennis Rodman is here to give us the lowdown on what is really happening in Thailand.

[webfact]

IPKC orders an operation shutting political media outlets

BANGKOK, 20 May 2014, (NNT) The Internal Peace Keeping Command has released its 6th announcement. It has prohibited the broadcasting of certain TV channels and local radio stations, in its bid to preemptively prevent these media outlets causing rifts and confusion among the public.

The affected satellite TV channels are those deemed politically biased such as Blue Sky, Asia Update, TNEWS, ASTV, FM TV, and UDD radio stations.


-- NNT 2014-05-20

[webfact]

Cable and satellite TV stations ordered to halt operation

BANGKOK: -- At least 10 cable and satellite TV stations including anti-government BlueSky and pro-government Asia updates were ordered to halt broadcasting pending further notice, according to the military’s 6th announcement.

In order to stop spreading of false information, the cable and satellite networks must cease their operation to maintain law and order in the kingdom, it said.

They shutdown networks are ASTV, MV5, DNN, Asia Update, Bluesky, UDD, P&P, FourChannel, MFTV and Tnews.

The annoucement came after the military invoked the martial law on Tuesay. Army Commander in Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha set up a peacekeeping command under the martial law, appointing himself as director.

The media networks have been used for political purposes by conflicting parties in the country over the past months.

Illegal radio networks are also cased their operation in according with the order.

-- The Nation 2014-05-20

[Nickymaster]

will this somehow have an impact on this forum?

Don't think so. There are mainly expats on this forum and they are smart enough not to overreact to certain situations and news...me think.

[Tatsujin]

will this somehow have an impact on this forum?

Don't think so. There are mainly expats on this forum and they are smart enough not to overreact to certain situations and news...me think.

You're giving people here FAR too much credit lol

[Scamper]

Another sound move. To remove both UDD affiliated stations as well as Blue Sky indicates a reasoned balance. These stations are not news. They are used as propaganda. Outside of this, there hasn't been - nor is there any expected - actual censorship of the media.

[h90]

will this somehow have an impact on this forum?

I think they are hosted in Singapore....so the only thing they could do is blocking it, which doesn't work well in modern times

[Mango Bob]

You better not shut down Fox Sports or I will really, really get pissed off. Hope you mark my words General, hands off Fox Sports.

[jennywren]

I'm glad to see the back of all of them.

Both sides have been whipping up hatred for years and somethings had to give.

Sutheps final push really seemed to be inviting violence and confrontation and we can be happy this is now at an end.

The Government will be back in power as soon as there is an election and without an election it's sanctions for Thailand.!!

Interesting times, but at least its got the thugs corralled.

[JetsetBkk]

You better not shut down Fox Sports or I will really, really get pissed off. Hope you mark my words General, hands off Fox Sports.

Well, if they are banning red shirts, you might not be seeing much of him:

[Crushdepth]

will this somehow have an impact on this forum?

Don't think so. There are mainly expats on this forum and they are smart enough not to overreact to certain situations and news...me think.

We have no shortage of resident nut cases, however.

[bigbamboo]

will this somehow have an impact on this forum?

Don't think so. There are mainly expats on this forum and they are smart enough not to overreact to certain situations and news...me think.

You're giving people here FAR too much credit lol

You speak for yourself.

[LevelHead]

It was essential to shut down Blue Sky and ASTV (and to be fair also the red channels).

Blue Sky and ASTV just pumped out nonsense 24 hours a day.

Anyone seen Suthep by the way ????

[somjitr]

Censorship is censorship even at the pretense of national security.

[fab4]

It was essential to shut down Blue Sky and ASTV (and to be fair also the red channels).

Blue Sky and ASTV just pumped out nonsense 24 hours a day.

Anyone seen Suthep by the way ????

Apparently he went walkabout around 11.30am. No one knows where. I'll look forward to the jibes about Jatuporn allegedly cutting and running in 2010 (when he was on stage up until when the Leaders reported to the Police) ceasing forthwith in the wake of this news. Who am I kidding - the usual suspects will still be portraying it as fact.

Still time for a song:

Anyone here seen Suthep? S U TH E P

Edited May 20, 2014 by fab4

[love1012]

You better not shut down Fox Sports or I will really, really get pissed off. Hope you mark my words General, hands off Fox Sports.

If they do will you blame Suthep or the fat boy?

[MGP]

The army has not closed the Red-shirt community radio FM, and they are spitting high octane gasoline and vitriol into the air.

Perhaps they are letting them to bark in order to collect more evidence of their calls for violence, and definitively declare them a Terrorist Organization?

[IMA_FARANG]

I am sorry, but I've been dealing with some personal financial business for the last 48 hours or so and haven't been following the Thai news very closely.

Am I to understand that martial law has now officially been declared in Thailand or even only Bangkok?

As I said I am not aware of the news as I have been dealing with personal financial matters lately.

I presume therefore we are now under martial law?

If so, how will that affect this forum?

Or is it simply to early to tell what the consequences might be?

Edited May 20, 2014 by IMA_FARANG

[geriatrickid]

I can't wait until Nation self censors. I anticipate a reduction in the anti government articles.

[Mentors]

Thailand has media censorship since ever. But now it will be doubled.

I remember me some years back when truevisions kicked out some live reports and interviews from CNN.

And back in 1992 when Thai Channels suddenly broadcast newer Hollywood blockbusters instead silly soap operas to hold people away from going into the streets.

(btw this was a good idea...)

[webfact]

Prayuth orders media not to present 'distorted' reports with intention to incite unrest

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha has ordered both broadcast and printed media against presenting "intentionally distorted" reports that could cause turmoil and rifts to escalate.

In his third order issued after he declared martial law, Prayuth said broadcast media as well as online media must not present reports that provoke situation of turmoil and rifts or cause misunderstanding among the public as well as affecting peace and order maintaining.

The third order also told the printed media not to present reports that could affect peace-keeping effort under the martial law.


-- The Nation 2014-05-20

[The byaMemo]

across the bitterly divided nation.

what nation is that? the thai nation where i am the prachachon could give a rats ass.

Edited May 20, 2014 by The byaMemo

[Mango Bob]

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You better not shut down Fox Sports or I will really, really get pissed off. Hope you mark my words General, hands off Fox Sports.

If they do will you blame Suthep or the fat boy?

Suthep and his fake monk of course. They get blame for everything that goes wrong.

[MaxLee]

Thai army censors media as martial law declared

The two extremist parties asked for it,... now nobody will receive any information. If you are Falang and don't understand Thai, bad luck...

[tigermonkey]

Another sound move. To remove both UDD affiliated stations as well as Blue Sky indicates a reasoned balance. These stations are not news. They are used as propaganda. Outside of this, there hasn't been - nor is there any expected - actual censorship of the media.

We are still receiving "Bluesky - backup" on IPM. It is still active, live from the protest stage.

[Civil War]

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha has ordered both broadcast and printed media against presenting "intentionally distorted" reports that could cause turmoil and rifts to escalate.

Does that also extend to Cabinet ministers spinning the current events to try to push for military controlled snap election and that the original intention was in a bid for a move to control the PDRC?

I am sure Surapong is wetting his pants to issue such a statement. (if he is still in the country).

The red farang have already declared it.

[WhizBang]

will this somehow have an impact on this forum?

a very good question

This will be the first instance of the military taking control in Thailand since the rise of social media. It will be interesting to see if in time they also cut access to platforms like facebook and twitter. Cant see the hi-so princesses in Bangkok taking that too well.

The military can simply block access to facebook, youtube etc if they seem to be a source of unrest. No biggie to me as I don't use them. I just hope they don'y shutter the internet completely. If they did, that would not go over well internationally.

As for Bangkok's hi-so princesses, maybe they can get a life without facebook.

[WhizBang]

Censorship is censorship even at the pretense of national security.

Your point being?