LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Reporters are persecuting Thaksin and betraying their profession's ideals
The news and articles in leading English newspapers recently convey an obvious one-sided stand on the current political stalemate in the country. Articles and opinions were mostly, if not all, directly or indirectly aimed to boost and exaggerate one political side - that of the opposition's.
It is not difficult to logically assume, therefore, that Thaksin is already being tried and persecuted, not through or within the sanctity of any judicial court, but by the media. The media, which is supposed to uphold impartiality seems to focus on only one thing - helping to eradicate Thaksin from politics. While it is the right of any journalist to express his sentiments against Thaksin and his government, what morally and rightfully matters most is his duty and obligation to provide balanced and candid news by covering all angles of the current political scenario. I am not a Thaksin fan for I reckon he is guilty of misconduct in the Shin fiasco.I also want him out but only through peaceful, democratic, constitutional means. With emotions and probably anger caused presumably by continuous pressure from the administration, your writers seemed to have resorted to retaliation, which unfortunately caused them to disregard ethical and responsible journalism. Bong and Pla Bangkok --------------------------------------------------------- Newspapers are the only free media left in Thailand Re: Journalist "disgusted" by article [Letters, March 30].As a journalist for an English newspaper in Taiwan, Liang Dong-ping should instead be concerned about Thaksin's obsessive and total control over the media, with the newspapers the only outlet for free thought. As the 64 million people in Thailand mostly watch TV and listen to the radio, with those two outlets completely controlled by the PM, only the small per cent of the privileged few can watch events from the ASTV channel from the Internet. Our newspapers are not the mass medium you perceive them to be. The sacking of newscasters, closing of TV and radio shows, and the various lawsuits, shows the PM'sintolerance for those who disagree with him. Carolyn Bangkok --------------------------------------------------------- Democracy is flourishing in Siam Square Thaksin Shinawatra will be remembered for saying "democracy is a means to an end". How ironic it is that Thaksin himself has created the space for democracy in Thailand to flourish. Standing amongst the thousands of Thai people from all walks of life on Rama I in Siam Square last night, their message was clear: "Democracy means the end ... of Thaksin". Power to the people! David Bangkok --------------------------------------------------------- Reader urges PM to end the nightmare and step down When will this be over? When will Thaksin finally be astute enough to show responsibility and step down? When it comes to making money from others he's among the best, but when it comes to accepting responsibility he acts like a kid.He is no longer accepted by most Thais and is a laughing stock for the rest of the world. So when is this nightmare going to be over? Thailand needs to go forward and not be held back by a PM acting like a spoiled, rich brat.We're fed up beyond belief. Stefan Modro Bangkok
|
