Source: The Nation
Sep 27, 2004

Buying up stakes, removal of editors, canning shows cited

BANGKOK - Several government ministers who have powerful business interests have gained control of influential media outlets to muzzle the press for their own interest, media academics claimed.

"Attempts by the government to interfere with editorial content have reached an unprecedented level under Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra," said Darunee Hiranrak, dean of the Communication Arts Faculty at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Many members of the Cabinet are businessmen who have resorted to taking over media companies to curtail the freedom of the press, Darunee told The Nation.

High-ranking ministers and government politicians have gained control of media outlets, particularly those in the broadcasting industry, she said. "The government has gone beyond media interference. At issue presently is media domination."

"The public can no longer rely on television and radio stations for news. Only some independent printed media continue to cover political news," she said.

Aruneeprapa Homsethi, dean of Communication Arts at Sripatum University, said media professionals should try to present fair and well-rounded reports in order to pre-empt editorial interference.

"Politicians and vested interest groups want to skew reports in their favour. If the original reports cover all sides of the story, they would have no justification to step in," she said.
Prasong Lertrattanawisut, secretary-general of the Thai Journalists Association, said several newspapers had been forced to change their editors since Thaksin came to power.

"The pressure was exerted in a subtle way, but everyone knows that many editors have lost their jobs to appease the authorities," he told The Nation.

Prasong was referring to perceived editorial interference affecting certain editors and former massage-parlour tycoon Chuwit Kamolvisit.

Chuwit was approached by Channel 7 to host a talk show, "Kui Pao Kon". But only one day after the programme's official announcement, the tycoon was unexpectedly dismissed.

Many reporters who work closely with politicians admitted that political interference such as censorship or business intimidation has affected their work to varying degrees. Several media outlets that didn't cave in to the government later faced pressure from prominent business groups.

A case in point is Thai Post, a newspaper that has faced political interference in the form of advertising cuts and by having the newspaper's distribution channel severed, with publishing houses and distributors cancelling their contracts.

Shin Corp has also filed a libel charge against Thai Post, seeking Bt400 million in damages after the newspaper ran a story concerning Shin Corp's rise in profits after Thaksin came to power.

A reporter for Army-run Channel 5 admitted there have been many restrictions at the station and the editor now habitually asked to see the news before letting it go to air. If it is believed that the news could have a negative impact on the Army or the government's reputation, it would either be softened or not broadcast, he said.