Thai editorial: New economic order requires less politics

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EDITORIAL
New economic order requires less politics
The Nation

Campaign against digital economy bills mustn't be selfish

BANGKOK: -- The digital economy is not just about the rights of computer users, which is why politicising it can get everyone way off the mark.

The digital economy is not just about any particular group of people, which is why concerns raised by journalists or political activists decrying the possibility of stricter "state control" apparently failed to thoroughly address the big picture. We are dealing with something that will come to dominate our lives no matter what. Therefore, the digital economy must be handled without ego and not be influenced by pressure groups.

It's a big change looming. It's inevitable. More and more transactions are being done digitally. An increasingly number of business deals are being closed online. Advertising money is shifting from traditional media to the second or third screen, albeit gradually. Greater security will be needed and effective infrastructure must be installed for the digital economy to function. For the new-age economy to achieve sustainability, nobody - absolutely nobody - shall be left behind.

So, the issue is far greater than freedom of expression. Concerns are rife that basic rights could be affected if the digital economy fails to take into account those with slow adaptability. The digital economy will cut short production and delivery processes and this alone affects a great number of people. The labour issue and the income gap, which many fear will widen instead of the other way round, are among things that should matter most.

The "small" or "poor" middlemen will be affected, like junior bank employees or low-ranking accountants. Big players can gain from the digital economy as they are already controlling the platform and are not finding it hard to have one of their own. The new-age economy is undoubtedly giving opportunities to those that did not have them before, but there will be those who will be left farther behind as well. "Adapt or die" is what they say. But like it's always said: "It’s is easier said than done."

It's up to the journalists and activists scrutinising the government's digital economy bills to raise the important issues. But first, politics must get out of the way. The digital economy is a double-edged sword, but, like it or not, it's already knocking on our doors. Preparations must not be dragged down by politicisation. Vested interests must be swept aside and the real issues addressed. It's good that concerns have been raised, but they must represent all unheard voices, some of whom don't even know how fragile they can be in a digital economy.

Computer users or those expressing opinions online have their rights. But so do those not using computers or expressing opinions online. It's the latter who may not know how to protect themselves and they deserve more attention. They may be part of the digital economy - with advertisement or promotion "packages" sent to their phones on a daily basis - but they can be those whom the new world order will "take from", not "give to".

Everybody is asking what they can get from the digital economy. This practically makes it the old-fashioned economy in digital form, where the big fish still eat the small ones. If the IT revolution is supposed to change all that, bringing some sort of equality into the world order, the digital economy, which is something born out of the improving technology, should serve the proclaimed goal. To paraphrase the famous line, we must ask not what the digital economy can give us, but what we can do to make it a real new economic order.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/New-economic-order-requires-less-politics-30254654.html

-- The Nation 2015-02-23

[SiSePuede419]

The Global Oligarchs don't want local politics to stand in the way of running roughshod over the locals in order to increase their profits.

Same same, everywhere...

[Srikcir]

"It's up to the journalists and activists scrutinising the government's digital economy bills to raise the important issues."

A Pipe Dream

The NCPO send its regrets to jouralists and activists as it is against the [Junta] LAW for such scrutiny to take place. The Junta does not take kindly to intrusions into its agenda nor to any criticsm of its actions.

In a free and open society where rights and liberties are guaranteed and protected, the news media can conduct effective investigations. So long as the Junta rules Thailand and operates under the veil of martial law, there can be no news media to effectively raise important issues.