THAI TALK

What is a news hound to do when everybody can be a (watch) dog?

Suthichai Yoon
The Nation 

 

BANGKOK: -- When I was asked to talk to members of the Radio and TV Reporters Association recently, the suggested topic was something along these lines: Now that everybody can be a reporter, how should professional journalists adapt to survive?

 

I changed the subject to, "Yes, now everybody can be a (watch) dog!" in the hope of provoking angry reactions from the audience. The only reaction was from a non-journalist who stood up to make a general statement about the lack of ethics among journalists. The ensuing silence was deafening and scary.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/What-is-a-news-hound-to-do-when-everybody-can-be-a-30296437.html

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2016-09-29

A dog doesn't serve two masters so tell the truth or the just truth approved approved by the junta ?

Journalists make it a point to know very little about an extremely wide variety of topics; this is how they stay objective.


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Thailand doesn't have a problem with news; it has a problem with wimpy journalists who are unwilling to push the limits. If the risks are too high, maybe journalists should be working with neighboring or foreign newspapers where they can possibly release more critic news under different names. Then there is always underground newspapers. The problem isn't the news; it's the fear of printing it.

Press freedom? 

 

But before we get ahead of ourselves, the elephant in the room, critical thinking at a national level needs to addressed.

5 minutes ago, HoboKay said:

Press freedom? 

 

But before we get ahead of ourselves, the elephant in the room, critical thinking at a national level needs to addressed.

Critical thinking is one thing but being allowed to think to start with is a different story.

12 minutes ago, NongKhaiKid said:

Critical thinking is one thing but being allowed to think to start with is a different story.

That brings to mind the question of, being brought under a yoke an issue to the involved? 

"...What is a news hound to do when everybody can be a (watch) dog..."?

 

In Thailand (especially NNT and the Broadcaster we are told we can trust), start by learning the basics:

 

Then, adhere to the Code of Conduct for Members of the Thai Journalists Association - http://accountablejournalism.org/ethics-codes/Thailand-Journalists-Association

Anyone can be a watchdog but not everyone has the capacity or authority to do real investigative journalism.

 

For example, the anti-graft commission has today announced it will not be probing into the nephew of the Prime Minister. Preposterous!

 

This is where journalists have a great opportunity to dig deeper and break information especially in the international press, which will have a big impact locally, because the public and authorities will respond.