Mass media at 'a low point, too cosy with big business'

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Mass media at 'a low point, too cosy with big business'
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE MEDIA NEEDS a truly reliable system of checks and balances to ensure it does not fall under the sway of big business, Suchada Chakpisuth, director of the Thailand Information Centre for Civil Rights and Investigative Journalism (TCIJ) has said.

The TCIJ recently broke news of alleged bribery of journalists by a food giant in order to boost its public image and minimise any negative news about the company.

Suchada told The Nation in an interview that the scandal involving at least 18 mid-management journalists from various news organisations reflected the fact that the mainstream mass media was at its lowest point.

She called on the establishment of a truly trustworthy system of checks and balances, where select members of the public would play a role in scrutinising the media and people outside the industry would serve as ombudsmen for media organisations.

Self-regulation without outsider involvement has failed, Suchada said, adding that the TCIJ has some 200 files containing some 7,000 pages of documents that will further reveal the nature of big business' improper conduct.

But she said the Press Council, which was conducting an inquiry into the allegation, had not shown any interest in obtaining these documents.

She said some journalists had called her but only wanted to know if they were on the list of bribed journalists.

Klanarong to probe scandal

The TCIJ had not revealed the list as it wanted the public to pay attention to what it believed to be systemic and unethical practices. It preferred this approach over going after individual journalists.

The National Press Council has set up an independent panel, led by former National Anti-Corruption Commission member Klanarong Chanthik, to investigate the scandal.

Suchada said she was ready to defend her position and that of the TCIJ in a lawsuit against the food giant, if need be.

After the TCIJ released its report, Charoen Pokphand Foods admitted the incriminating documents came from it but the firm said the documents were partly doctored and distorted. CPF insists it did nothing unethical.

Suchada said she stood by her report, which she wrote, and was willing to reveal more information in court if necessary. She said it was possible to technically prove if the documents had been doctored.

The company should realise that using such tactics to manipulate the media was not "worth it".

As for the mainstream media, Suchada believes some organisations must have had some inkling on what was happening between the company and the journalists but refused to break the news due to their cosy relations with the firm.

"They may even know more than the TCIJ," she said.

"But why wouldn't they reveal it? It is because they have conflict of interests?"

Suchada criticised media associations' management training programmes, where they put together mid-level journalists and private company executives.

This, she said, was a breeding ground for possible nepotism as it led to close ties between media professionals and business people and could lead to the censorship of news that was negative about corporations.

Suchada founded the TCIJ in 2010. She was the founding editor of the famed Sarakadee Magazine (Feature Magazine).

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Mass-media-ata-low-point-too-cosy-with-big-busines-30239019.html


-- The Nation 2014-07-21

[Somtamnication]

CP and others are too powerful, too well-connected. Wishful thinking, K.Suchada.

[lostsoul49]

I would say checks and balances need to be put in play to stop them falling under the sway of 'Big Politics'.

That does much more damage than a company bribing for good reviews.

Political bias in the media is the biggest tool inthe box for creating the division we have today.

[shirtless]

This is never a good thing, the media should be free to do their job , but when big business spends of advertising they of course carry a large amount of influence.

[ChrisY1]

I think with ~Thb 7 Mill/month (as reported last week) involved....and that's only from one major player.....is it any wonder that the media is "cosy" with big business?..

I could manage to be cosy too.

[lostmebike]

Wow! Big businesses are corrupt and bribing people??? No way, never!

[chainarong]

This case in point happens all over the world , you only have to see who pay the wages and there it is in a nutshell , it is all very well looking for that warm fuzzy feeling, media play a large part in electing governments , direction of peoples opinions , they have a large input into everyday life, the people who matter are the ones who fork out the money, not the man in the street. Don't forget the rule of thumb only believe ten percent of what you read and nothing that you see.

Edited July 21, 2014 by chainarong

[Thai at Heart]

What?

Business is the problem, meanwhile the political parties and army all have their own active propaganda channels.

[TTom911]

Very brave woman, she deserves all the support there could be !

[Krataiboy]

Six giant corporations control 90 per cent of the international mass media. How cosy is that?

[JohnThailandJohn]

Thailand has some catching up to do. In much of the west there is no need to worry about the media being influenced because the mainstream media companies are the big businesses and in turn big business runs the government.

[Oziex1]

Six giant corporations control 90 per cent of the international mass media. How cosy is that?

Ever notice how candidates with a good chance of winning the Presidents or Prime Ministers position in whatever country have an audience with Rupert. What does he say to them?

[TTom911]

Six giant corporations control 90 per cent of the international mass media. How cosy is that?

Ever notice how candidates with a good chance of winning the Presidents or Prime Ministers position in whatever country have an audience with Rupert. What does he say to them?

SO unfortunately true... the filth we have in our own countries is stinking like hell... and, as grandma knows, we ALWAYS see only the tip of the iceberg once we catch one culprit... I don't even know what is REALLY going on... we would fall sick for weeks on end....

[Chris Lawrence]

“Thailand Information Center for Civil Rights and Investigative Journalism” is fully funded by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, a Thai Government organisation which gives money to NGOs.

“Thailand Information Center for Civil Rights and Investigative Journalism” is just another “GNGO” (Government-backed Non-Government Organisation), or in other words a Government media site pretending to be an NGO.

What about Government spending on media campaign. Mr T pulled the media money out from the 'Nation'? What effect did that have?

A coup always has an effect on control in the media? Isn't Ms Suchada talking about this aspect of involvement in the media but can't or wont say it?

This women does not have to be brave as her wages are being paid by the NCPO/Government in power.

[TTom911]

“Thailand Information Center for Civil Rights and Investigative Journalism” is fully funded by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, a Thai Government organisation which gives money to NGOs.

“Thailand Information Center for Civil Rights and Investigative Journalism” is just another “GNGO” (Government-backed Non-Government Organisation), or in other words a Government media site pretending to be an NGO.

What about Government spending on media campaign. Mr T pulled the media money out from the 'Nation'? What effect did that have?

A coup always has an effect on control in the media? Isn't Ms Suchada talking about this aspect of involvement in the media but can't or wont say it?

This women does not have to be brave as her wages are being paid by the NCPO/Government in power.

I would still give her credit. There are not many voices like that.

[tomyummer]

Not unlike other countries, the media can be bought and controlled. Nothing different here.

Edited July 21, 2014 by tomyummer

[Alwyn]

Thailand Information Centre for Civil Rights and Investigative Journalism (TCIJ) How many acronyms does this country have?! I get confused..

[KhnomKhnom]

Mass media want govt. freedom but too often that is REALLY freedom to take PAYOLA or bribes from product promoters or politicians for favorable "news" reports.

Lets see the news clean up THEIR act.