Media bodies ask POMC to review orders restricting press freedom

[Lite Beer]

Media bodies ask POMC to review orders restricting press freedom
The Nation

FOUR MEDIA organisations Wednesday issued a joint statement asking the Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) to review those of its orders that are deemed to violate media rights and press freedom.

The statement was issued by the Thai Journalists Association, the National Press Council of Thailand, the Broadcast Journalists Association and the News Broadcasting Council of Thailand.

The statement said the POMC's Order numbers 3, 6,7,8, 9/2014 adversely affected the freedom of expression guaranteed by Article 45 of the Constitution, especially numbers 6 and 7 which seek cooperation to suspend the operation of 14 satellite-television stations and community radio stations that do not have an operating licence until an order for change is imposed.

The media bodies cited the third paragraph of Article 45 of the charter, which stipulates that the closure of newspapers and other media in order to restrict press freedom is not permitted.

The statement also said that although some satellite-TV stations and community radio stations had been used as a political tool by disseminating hate speech, and had used their liberty without responsibility in a way that could instigate violence, the POMC should seek cooperation from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to ensure the media strictly followed the law and used their freedom of expression responsibly.

"We urge the POMC to exercise discretion before suspending media that it believes could intensify conflicts, distort the facts or confuse the public, since the POMC's orders are regarded as a severe deprivation of media freedom,'' it stated.

The group also urged the cancellation of Order number 9, which bans the media from inviting people to give interviews or expressing an opinion.

It reasoned that media editors must be allowed to exercise their judgment in inviting people for interviews or offering opinions, as long as they do not worsen the conflict or lead to violence.

They also demanded that the POMC declare an intention to support and not obstruct the media from carrying out their duty in providing accurate and well-rounded coverage, and to respect freedom of expression in online media.

The group also urged media professionals to carry out their duty ethically and responsibly in the country's interest.

-- The Nation 2014-05-21

[Basil B]

"It reasoned that media editors must be allowed to exercise their judgment in inviting people for interviews or offering opinions, as long as they do not worsen the conflict or lead to violence"

Given that some of the media are more than just a bit politically biased is that a good thing?

[tezzainoz]

words sound good

But words are only words

The army is trying to clean up the Thai problems, a little discomfort is what all thais must be prepared to face

[stickyrice2000]

A little discomfort? That's their bloodline. They have to work and pay bills like everyone else.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

words sound good

But words are only words

The army is trying to clean up the Thai problems, a little discomfort is what all thais must be prepared to face

[Scamper]

Outside the public closures of the UDD and Blue Sky broadcasts, the mainstream media - by and large - seems largely unaffected. But clarifications will need to take place in the coming days in order to assuage the media's fears. In all likelihood, many measures will be scaled back. In terms of the broadcasters' request for the reinstatement of stations closed - like the UDD, for example - with the assurance that the media would monitor them responsibility - one wonders why they didn't to that before. The UDD broadcasts in particular were so ludicrous, so off the wall, that the only way to sanction them would be to call it the science fiction channel. Having said that, these measures are but temporary. Doubtless Jatuporn will be foaming at the mouth in close up in VistaVision yet again on his own TV show. But in the meantime, Prayuth has managed to get all these people together in a room. And they're talking. That's refreshing.

[Torrens54]

Having already commented about certain stories being carried on Thai TV, I am delighted to see the above article published by "The Nation."

I can only imagine what would happen in Australia, the US or Europe if anyone dared to "pull the plug" on the media but given the circumstances in Thailand, I can appreciate why the move was taken on censorship. It can however, only be a temporary measure or there could be a problem involving various International Courts.

Edited May 21, 2014 by Torrens54

[noitom]

In freedom of speech and press/media you can't have "discretionary" judgment. NBTC has established "guidelines" one would assume. You have to have "guidelines" and cases of violation of guidelines can and should be controlled by NBTC. Presumably NBTC is a civilian organization legally and duly appointed by elected government or acting for elected government and should not be over ruled on issues of content that is within its guidelines. Is the NBTC Secretary General a functioning office? Who is in charge of NBTC guidelines? If the Thai military is in charge of all broadcast media, then this whole debate is a sham.

[webfact]

MARTIAL LAW
TV channels protest Army shutdown
The Nation

Voice TV filed an appeal yesterday with the Army chief against an order for the TV station to suspend its broadcasts.

BANGKOK: -- The petition was submitted by senior marketing director Phayungsak Charnduayvit to Colonel Anucha Chumkham, the director of the Public Relations Division of the Office of the Army’s Secretary.

On Tuesday, the military shut down 14 cable, satellite TV stations, including Voice TV seen as under the control of political groups and stationed personnel in the country's main TV stations to enforce censorship of news.

The appeal said that Voice TV, owned by the son of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, had been presenting facts straightforwardly, without distorting information to incite unrest.

Moreover, Voice TV was a new digital free-to-air TV, not a satellite channel that was not supervised by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). Phayungsak said he had asked the Army chief to allow the TV station to resume telecasts as soon as possible because it had sponsors who had already bought its airtime.

Well-known TV host Leena Jungjunya from Hot TV staged a noisy protest at the Peace and Order Maintaining Command yesterday over the POMC's order to close her satellite TV channel.

Leena went inside the Thai Army Club, where the POMC is located, at noon and shouted remarks critical of Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, chief of the POMC.

Leena's Hot TV station was among satellite TV stations that had their broadcasts banned by the POMC on Tuesday.

Leena said her station did not present provocative or distorted reports but her TV programmes were aimed at educating people.

Leena initially wanted to see only Prayuth, but an Army officer later convinced her to file a complaint with Prayuth’s representative.

Meanwhile, the NBTC met with Internet service providers yesterday to seek their collaboration in ensuring online content is in compliance with martial law.

The order of the military's Peace and Order Maintaining Command sought collaboration from social networks to monitor content and stop messages deemed as insulting to the monarchy or with provocative or false messages. The ICT Ministry will take a lead role in this mission.


-- The Nation 2014-05-22

[chooka]

There is a way around it. A red shirt leader was interviewed at length on the ABC (Aust) last night where he spoke openly and freely and this interview was being beamed live into Thailand via the Australia Network. The Thai Military has no authority over the Australian government so not much they could do about it.

[Maggusoil]

"It reasoned that media editors must be allowed to exercise their judgment in inviting people for interviews or offering opinions, as long as they do not worsen the conflict or lead to violence"

Given that some of the media are more than just a bit politically biased is that a good thing?

The Press must be totally free.

Inciting hate and violence is against the law. Offenders should be punished for individual instances proved, fines including the "possibility" of suspension of their licence, if the offence is repeated.

There is no need to close everyone down.

That is "always" the opportunists in favour of maximum control getting on the band wagon.