Wissanu to seek media opinion after receiving all versions of regulation draft bill

By The Nation

 

 

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam on Wednesday said that he expected to see all versions of the media regulation draft bill written by the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) as part of deliberations on the controversial draft.

 

Wissanu added that he would also invite media professionals to provide opinions once he receives the draft from the NRSA.

 

While the draft is technically a mere suggestion from the junta-appointed reformers to the government, media workers fear the stipulations in the draft would enable state interference in media affairs.

 

The first draft of the bill required that all media workers be registered under the so-called national media professional council, which was supposed to include four ministerial permanent secretaries. 

 

After facing much opposition from media personnel, the NRSA decided to reduce the number of governmental representatives to two 

It also replaced the media-licensing requirement with accrreditation and certification to tone down heated opposition.

 

Media workers, however, remain concerned that the draft is designed to curb press freedom. They have urged the government to scrap the draft, arguing that the NRSA had not sought media opinion while writing the draft.

 

Earlier this month, the media set up an ombudsman to improve its complaint receiving mechanism and set up a self-regulation system.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/breakingnews/30316872

 

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