Court blocks move to shift TITV editor

But the injunction did not invalidate another PRD order transferring 11 TITV senior news editors to less significant posts. It said all the 11 people still functioned in the same responsibilities they had before the PRD order on December 21 took effect.

The court ruled that the appointment of Sonthiyarn Chuenrutainaitham, in PRD Order 1003/BE2550, without stating why Atcha was removed from his post - then left empty - was a violation of the corporation's ethics and a clear interference with media freedom, especially considering the PRD issued the order only two days before the general election.

"The appointment of Sonthiyarn in the news director's position has affected media professionalism of the TITV, which is a media outlet under protection of the new Constitution, which encourages freedom of expression without direct and indirect interference from the state authorities," said Justice Prawit Bunthiem, reading out the court's injunction order.

Explaining its decision not to invalidate another PRD move - PRD Order 1004/ BE2550 - the court said the 11 news editors were allowed to do their jobs without interference as stated in original employment contracts. "The court sees no sound reasons in validating PRD Order 1004/BE2550," Justice Prawit said.

 The Nation