Press 'Contributed to Flu Whitewash'

Source: The Nation
January 30, 2004

The bird-flu epidemic could have been contained if the media were allowed to function independently and journalists were given better access to information, the assistant editor of Nation Multimedia Group said yesterday.

Kavi Chongkittavorn accused Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his administration of deliberately covering up the crisis and misleading the media and the public.

"It was a whitewash, not a screw up," he said, referring to the media's coverage of the epidemic over the last week. Government Spokesman Jakrapob Penkair earlier admitted the government "screwed up" in its handling of the crisis.

"Thaksin should have the courage to take responsibility," Kavi said.

Speaking at a media seminar yesterday, he said the press was part of the cover-up because it believed Thaksin when he said the epidemic was not a big deal.

The annual media seminar was organised by the National Press Council of Thailand, Thai Journalists Association, Foundation for the Development of Thai Media and Rangsit University.

Kavi, a former president of the association, also blamed the media for its failure to report the bird flu crisis professionally.

"The media has morphed into the custodian of the government, eagerly following the government's lead instead of digging out the truth," he said, referring to the climate of fear and self-censorship within the media community.

The media has been blinded by the government's tactics and economic incentives over the past three years, he said. In the past, it would be "extremely crazy" for the media not to take on the prime minister, he said.

"Before Thaksin came to power, the media would hit the bull's eye every time."

It's ridiculous to think that Thaksin is the only source of news and information, he said. In a democratic society, nobody should have a monopoly on information and views, not even the prime minister.

Kavi said a worrying new trend was emerging in which the media was trying to echo the government's views more creatively.

"It's like a circus dog trying to outperform its master with additional twists and somersaults," he said.

Piphob Thongchai, adviser to the Campaign for Popular Democracy, said the government had been successful in its attempt to cultivate a culture of fear among journalists.

He said the government continues to pressure the media through its control of advertising and portfolios.

He accused the Thaksin government of having "no morality or righteousness".

Vittaya Chiangkoon of Rangsit University said that by covering up the bird-flu crisis, the government showed it was more concerned with the economy than with the welfare of the people.

"So he [Thaksin] had to eat chicken to improve confidence," he said.

The government should have been more receptive of alternative views, Vittaya said. Anyone who wants to be a leader should be able to listen and find the best solutions, he said.

Yongyuth Tiyaphairat, secretary-general of the PM's Office, said the government tried to control the press only because it was concerned about the country's wellbeing and that of the economy.

He said the bird-flu epidemic and the violence in the South were sensitive issues that could damage the nation.