Parliament, Political Development Committee invites representatives of the media and police. Explain the case of a journalist being arrested Hoping to ensure freedom of news presentation Looking for a place to stand for small-sized online media Disappointed that the media association did not respond.
Ms. Phakamon Nun-anan, House-list MP and Political Development Commissioner mass communication and public participation House of Representatives Mentioning today’s meeting, the meeting called relevant agencies to provide clarification. This is due to the police issuing a warrant to arrest journalists and photographers on charges of being supporters of wrongdoing on February 12th. By the committee It will be an intermediary, opening the space to be a platform for independent and online media that have been accused of their work. Police from the Royal Thai Police (Royal Thai Police) which represents the government and the Association of Journalists and Journalists of Thailand
‘What kind of flag will there be? Fro
m calling in to clarify or not? We probably won’t go back and talk about the case. because it has passed After this, we would like to have a starting point on where the scope of the media’s work in various precarious situations is. What will the screening of the media be like? In the past, I had to honestly admit that Most of the media being prosecuted are independent, online and small media outlets. So I hope to get the answer. The media groups are the targets of these lawsuits. What are the lines of work in society? May be considered from the distribution channel. How many followers do you have? How many years has the news been presented continuously? Therefore it is considered a mass media,’ Ms. Phakamon said.
Ms. Phakamon said that the context of Thai mass media has changed. There is probably not only television or radio media, but there are many independent media. according to changing technology People can be presenters of factual information. Therefore, it is time for the state or the Royal Thai Polic
e, as a regulator, to adapt, talk, and start together in order to ensure that this civilian government It can be guaranteed at the basic level that This incident may be the last event that will threaten and diminish the freedom of the press. It’s what we expected. Today we invited a representative from the Prime Minister’s Office. But no representative responded. Because in the past the registration of mass media Must register with the Public Relations Department. So we may not have the answer. After this, management or registration of mass media in Thailand What format should it be? Which is a shame.
As for the case where the media association has not responded, does it reflect anything or not? Ms. Phakamon said that she is quite disappointed. The media association itself should seize the opportunity to use the committee area. Assert your own righteousness. In the past, the media association It has also been questioned about its role in protecting the freedom of people in the media profession. Therefore it
is very unfortunate. And there is also the need to question and prove the role of the media association. How can people in the media profession be convinced? From now on, the committee and the working group will push forward to come out in the form of clear regulations. Let the media work with real freedom. We are not asking for the media only. But we also demand publicity and legitimacy for the police.
As for the effort to push this time Will it be to hold up the media who intentionally broke the law or not? Ms. Phakamon said that we have no duty to consider or point out who is right or wrong. But what we have to do today That is, the rules must be made clearly first. In the past, the rules were never clear. When has someone suffered? And there are people who agree with those in distress. There will always be accusations like this. If on the same rules We can talk. Rules should be started by counting the same steps. Finally, if the media is at fault Will be able to consider punishment without doubt.
‘After
receiving the information today, the committee will take it to continue working. If the House completes its term, there will be an opportunity to submit some bills to the House. To protect rights and freedoms But it will have to be discussed with many sides further. This protection may not take away rights and freedoms. Or should there not be any law regarding the rights and freedom of the press? Come and enforce it or not,’ Ms. Phakamon said.
Source: Thai News Agency