TJA denies reporters 'ordered' to attack Thai govt

[webfact]

MEDIA
TJA denies reporters 'ordered' to attack govt
THE NATION,
REUTERS


Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha meets the press yesterday after chairing the first meeting at Government House of a panel on special economic zones.

BANGKOK: -- THE THAI Journalists Association yesterday issued a statement in response to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's accusation that the media took "an order" to attack the government for money.

Manop Thip-osod, the TJA's vice president for press freedom and media reform, labelled Prayut's remark groundless and unfair.

Manop said Prayut mentioned news reporting when making the allegation, which suggested he was referring to members of the print media. As a representative of print-media organisations, Manop could not accept the accusation and take no action against it.

Manop said the print media were normally run by private companies and could be audited at any time, while journalists take salaries from companies. So to say that they took "an order" to write news was a "painful" accusation.

If the allegation turned out to be true, the prime minister could use the law against the wrongdoers.

"To make such an overwhelming implication against the media is not useful to the country's administration. The prime minister is here to solve problems and every sector just wants to give him moral support," said Manop, adding that being a prime minister meant he was subject to criticism, just like any other leader.

Manop said the media had never considered Prayut a foe. The media made criticisms based on good wishes, and if the prime minister felt that this was unfair, he could respond through the media or take legal action

He said that given the deep-rooted problems of the country, the prime minister needed the support and cooperation of all sides. He should make critical issues clear so there was no room for doubts and rumours.

The TJA will meet on Monday to discuss the matter.

Prayut said he had read the TJA's statement and if the accusations were not true, it could reject them.

However, he questioned the way the media reported, as they often offended his military regime.

He said it was not fair to him to report that his government had not done anything, when it had been trying hard to solve the country's serious problems.

"I am friendly to all the media. I am not your foe. But that doesn't mean you have power over me, nor do I have power over you. We need to work together to help push the country forward," said Prayut, adding that he was not angry and did not want to engage in verbal attacks while trying to work for people.

Asked whether he wanted to meet with editors again, he said: "No, what for? I tried to talk to them but nothing has improved.

"If we talked and things improved, I might consider [meeting them]. But if we talk but nothing has changed, why do I have to waste time? It's really about respecting one another, and I always give you respect … I apologise for the bang I make sometimes," he said.

Meanwhile, Colonel Winthai Suvari, a spokesman for the military's ruling National Council for Peace and Order, said the government would hold a meeting next week for 200 local and foreign journalists to "create understanding" and teach them how to ask questions that would not offend Prayut.

Winthai was quoted as saying there was no policy to stop foreign journalists from renewing their visas or applying to work in Thailand.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/TJA-denies-reporters-ordered-to-attack-govt-30263157.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-26

[thesetat2013]

When will Mr. P realise that moving people to inactive posts is not doing anything to solve the problems.

Arresting the little guys while failing to take legal actions against the people who controlled the illegal actions of others a making reports without follow up and action is the same as doing nothong in regards to improvements.

[quandow]

He SOOOO reminds me of a spoiled child, used to getting his way all his life, then suddenly confronted by an obstacle that doesn't bow down, nor kiss the ring, and is making him uncomfortable.

Hubris, the number one problem in Thailand.

[Srikcir]

Manop and the TJA should sue Prayut for defamation and file a complaint with police for possible violation of Computer Crimes Act.

The court will dismiss the law suit and the police will likely prevent a complaint from being filed.

But such actions would just further point to the INEQUALITY OF JUSTICE under the Prayut regime.

Prayut has taken Thailand from the Land of Smiles to the Land of Submission.

[Jimlove]

Its many many years ago Thailand was "The Land of Smiles" - that train left the station long time ago ... Now the "S" stand for something completely different ....

[Baerboxer]

Manop and the TJA should sue Prayut for defamation and file a complaint with police for possible violation of Computer Crimes Act.

The court will dismiss the law suit and the police will likely prevent a complaint from being filed.

But such actions would just further point to the INEQUALITY OF JUSTICE under the Prayut regime.

Prayut has taken Thailand from the Land of Smiles to the Land of Submission.

Give over. The PM is completely out of order with those accusations - unless he has proof. In which case he should reveal that proof and offenders.

Taring all journalists with a blanker accusation of acting for payment is nonsense - and he must know it. He seems to have the same affliction his predecessor, the charming Yingluck suffered from - the self belief that a PM can say anything and never be challenged no matter how ridiculous the statement is.

But, Thais in senior positions are used to that. Never challenged no matter what nonsense they utter.

But, are you suggesting the corrupt PTP liars somehow made everyone smile - go ask all those farmers who got screwed see if they're smiling.

None of the elite hiso's here tolerate public criticism - and that includes the Shins, the Dems, the police, the military etc. That's why investigative journalism and follow up on cases involving hiso's doesn't exist.

[djlest]

LOL so Thai journalists dont take obscene amounts of money from former fugitives? keep Dreaming...

[phoenixdoglover]

The PM said he is friendly, fair, and avoids verbal attacks.....after accusing the print media of being on the take, and offering no evidence of that.

Self awareness is not his strong point.

Edited June 26, 2015 by phoenixdoglover