SEAPA News Update

March 13, 2002

Confederation of Thai Journalists (CTJ) which comprises nine local press organizations and Thai Broadcast Journalists Association today warned the government not to try to wash their hands from the abuses of state power to intimidate media freedom.

At the joint meeting yesterday , they also cautioned the government not to sway the public from the real issue of threat to media freedom it has committed and pass the responsibility over attempts to crackdown media freedom on state agencies concerned.

CTJ has earlier urged the government to come clean on the last week’s suspension of Nation Multimedia Group’s news program on the army’s radio station and cable television network of UBC and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) ’s order to investigate banking transaction and assets of prominent journalists most of whom were critical of government’s performance.

CTJ secretary general Chavarong Limpattamapanee said the meeting was concerned with the government’s attempt to create public perception that the media’s current campaigns against the government’s crackdown on their freedom was to protect their own turf and that media was untouchable.

Chavarong said the meeting maintained the media was accountable but the process to check their accountability should conform with the acceptable laws.

He said the meeting was also concerned that the lawmakers on the government side will use the house debate tomorrow to frame the public opinion that the current fiasco between the government and the media stemmed from the misunderstanding and will use its majority vote in the house in favour of the government.

House of Representatives will debate on the three urgent motions calling for the investigation into the government’s mishandling of media.

The two motions submitted by opposition MPs called for the setting up of the special panels to examine the government’s interference in the media affairs and the government’s alleged violation of basic rights and freedom of the people.

The third motion submitted by government MPs called for a study into problems of coordination between the government and the media.

The move in the legislative branch was prompted by the petition filed by Thai Journalists Association, Thai Broadcast Journalists Association and Committee to Campaign for Media Reform on Monday that the parliament should conduct the investigation into the cases.

TJA condemned the government’s latest crackdown on media freedom as constituted not only breaches of media freedom but also basic rights of the public guaranteed under the Constitution.

In a letter sent to TJA today, House Speaker Uthai Pimchaichon as chairman of the parliament said he has thoroughly considered the TJA petition and attached great importance to its proposals.

At the same time,. Uthai said he has informed the PM office to ensure that actions taken against journalists by AMLO not only conform with the 1999 Anti-Money Laundering Act but are also appropriate.