Media should be unbiased and courageous

Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT) in Bangkok recently, Supinya said several local media sources were taking a stand against the ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra, while some were working out of fear of being attacked by the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy.

Supinya was referring to a recent event at which PAD leaders urged its followers to boycott Matichon newspaper, saying it was a Thaksin lackey.

Meanwhile, she said, Thai society remained very "confused" and people did not know how to discuss things openly. Supinya is currently a part-time lecturer in the Mass Communications faculty at Chulalongkorn University.

While talking about the role Thai media played in covering the political crisis, she said that though online discussions were more open, Internet-based media was increasingly coming under state censorship, especially with regards to content pertaining to the monarchy. She said the cyber criminal law violated freedom of expression and new regulations such as Internet users in public venues having to register their ID numbers or post their passport details was a disgrace.

"For bloggers it's a bit worrying. [As for] broadcast journalists, [they're] still reluctant to criticise the PAD, which is related to many important institutions," she said.

As for ASTV, the PAD mouthpiece, Supinya gave a mixed appraisal. She said that ASTV had no operating license, was beyond regulations, "could say anything" but ended up "producing hate speech".

However, despite her critical views, Supinya said she was still hopeful that Thai media could become a conscience of the people, though they would have to stop inciting violence or openly calling for coups.

Another panellist, Chiranuch Premchaiporn, executive director of the non-profit online newspaper, prachatai.com, said the media should strictly adhere to the principle of human rights.

At present there are far too many news talk shows, but few facts are being analysed and presented by the media, she said. "[The public] should not believe things [as they are presented by the media] easily. They should make their own judgement."

What's more, she added, the deep partisanship and self- or imposed censorship within the local media was forcing people to turn to online and foreign sources for the latest on the Thai political crisis. "We need a centre stage for people to debate," she said.