Supinya voices disagreement with NCPO’s order 41/2559



BANGKOK: -- Members of the media should file a case with the Administrative Court to challenge an order of the National Council for Peace and Order authorizing the NBTC and the National Broadcasting Commission to close down any TV or radio stations whose broadcasts are deemed in violation of NCPO orders.

The above suggestion was made by Ms Supinya Klangnarong, a member of the NBTC and NBC, in response to the NCPO Order 41/2559 which was issued Wednesday by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha in his capacity as NCPO chief.

Noting that the order will affect media’s freedom – not just Peace TV which was shut down – she suggested the media as a whole to take a common stand against the order in question.

The Peace TV case is pending with the Administrative Court after the court issued a stay of execution to withhold the NBTC’s closure order.

Ms Supinya said that she has never agreed with and has always fought against the use of executive power to shut down or muzzle any media outlets for their differing opinions with those of the government.

One of the minority group in the NBTC, she said that the NBTC was already empowered to pull the plugs of any TV or radio station for any programme deemed defying the law, but the commission has been cautious in meting out tough actions.

Ms Supinya warned that the Peace TV might not be the only case facing shutdown by the broadcasting regulator.

Thepchai Yong, president of Thai Broadcasting Journalists Association, said that the NCPO order was not relevant with the political climate as the country is approaching national referendum.

He suggested the NCPO to review the order, pointing out that the NBTC has the mechanism to deal with rogue broadcasters.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/supinya-voices-disagreement-ncpos-order-412559/


-- Thai PBS 2016-07-15

If they do not broadcast things we like we will shut them down.

Dictatorship that is what it is, what about freedom of the press?

Oh sorry forgot for a minute this is Thailand.

If it's heavy handed now imagine what it could be like if anything goes wrong with the referendum.

In the press it is reported that NBTC officials have been given immunity from criminal and civil lawsuit if the decide to shut down a TV or radio station (with article 44).

Sec 44 and NBTC: The perfect recipe for abuse of power and muzzling the media.

Freedom of press, freedom of speech? You don't understand Thailand!

Authoritarian regime, under the guise of a regular Government.

Consider the Provisional (Interim) Charter:

Section 44 - If it is necessary to prevent, disrupt or suppress any act that undermines public peace and order or national security, the NCPO chief shall have the power to order any action regardless of the legislative, executive or judicial sectors.

Section 45 - the Constitutional Court remains functional, but subject to the special power of the NCPO leader (Prayut).

I doubt any legal challenge of NCPO a directive will be accepted by the courts and it it did, the court cannot find against the government.

I think the Junta lost a court case for their shutdown of Peace TV - which was ruled illegal, so just easier to use Article 44 to circumvent the Thai "justice" system.

I think the Junta lost a court case for their shutdown of Peace TV - which was ruled illegal, so just easier to use Article 44 to circumvent the Thai "justice" system.

It was NBTC that ordered the shutdown and not a NCPO directive. So the Junta didn't lose a court case.

The courts have shown they have no issue with NCPO directives. They are treated as legal regardless of any perceived violation to the Articles of the Provisional Charter.