While the state-owned broadcasting media have frequently been criticised by journalists and intellectuals for favouring government figures over their opponents in their coverage, printed news media have witnessed a reverse phenomenon.

Chaowarong Limpatamapani, secretary-general of the National Press Council of Thailand, conceded news coverage of the pro- and anti-Thaksin camps in the print media is not proportional. However, he said overall, the print media are still doing their job in accordance with principles of objectivity.

"The angle of news reports depends on what is currently receiving political attention. Right now the anti-Thaksin camp is undertaking more newsworthy activities than the government," said Chaowarong, who is also a journalist at Thai Rath, Thailand's biggest-selling daily.

Chaowarong said he believes few of Thaksin's aides are brave enough to face the public as they are unsure whether they should continue to support the premier or not. This opinion was chorused by the political news editor of Matichon newspaper, Anusorn Sirichart, as well as Thai Post editor Roj Ngam-Maen.

Roj said that since the anti-Thaksin movement had entered the public domain, those who wanted to express pro-Thaksin sentiments have had to think twice about the response they might receive.

"Our media instinct tells us the powers-that-be are in decline. And once that power is in decline, the media can use their position to strengthen the true power - the power of the people," said Roj, who is widely known as "Plaew Si-ngern".

Matichon's Anusorn said it would be unfair to accuse his paper of biased reporting: "As you can see, numerous sectors of society including academics, doctors and students have questioned his morality. As a watchdog we can't neglect these events," he said.

Meanwhile, The Nation's editor Tulsathit Taptim said the apparent flood of anti-Thaksin information in his newspaper was simply an attempt to provide the public with the straightest facts available. He said The Nation was keen to provide an alternative to the free TV stations whose coverage is state-controlled.

The editors of Thai Post and The Nation conceded that the two newspapers both have a clear stance on Thaksin's lack of legitimacy. But they insisted reports presented in the papers were never unfairly coloured by the opinion of the editorial staff.

"It [the stance of the newspaper] is only presented in terms of commentary and news analysis, with the aim of showing readers how we interpret the facts we have collected from both sides," Tulsathit said.

Pennapa Hongthong

The Nation