Free-press minister urged

Academics and broadcasters yesterday urged the new government to respect press freedom and select a minister who can ensure that media policy supports the reconciliation of the country.

"Yingluck Shinawatra's administration should learn a lesson from the government led by her brother, ousted and exiled ex-prime minister Thaksin, which restricted and controlled media outlets to persuade people, partly distort the facts, and hide corruption," said Thepchai Yong, managing director of Thai Public Broadcasting Services (Thai PBS).

That finally stirred up lengthy demonstrations against his government and pushed the country into crisis, he said.

Darunee Hiranraksa, former dean of communication arts at Chulalongkorn University, told The Nation that if the new government wanted to promote real reconciliation, it should use all state-owned media for the public interest, not for its political purposes or to retaliate against opponents.

The government should also continue with media reform and establish an independent media committee that would focus on support activities related to self-regulation, ethics and freedom of the press, she added.

Thepchai said the government should appoint a highly experienced expert who understands press freedom to the post of minister in charge of media policy.

Yingluck's government should allow the press to do its job independently while leaving open space for the opposition party and marginalised groups to express their opinions freely, he said. As the managing director of Thai PBS, he wants to see the government keep its distance from all the internal affairs of the station to guarantee the public's right to communication, while the organisation would work closely with the public sector to examine the government.

Kasem Inkeaw, president of the Thailand Cable TV Association, said the government should promote cable and satellite television as well as the Internet as alternative media to encourage public participation without discrimination.

"Over the past couple of years, the cable and satellite television business has seen double-digit growth each year. This platform also provides varied content, especially political information from both sides of a conflict," he said.

The government should take this opportunity to promote reconciliation by using these alternative media, he added.

The National Press Council of Thailand (NPC) said it would start investigating the bribery allegation against a Pheu Thai candidate who was accused of sending an e-mail to his boss saying he had paid Bt20,000 to many journalists at newspapers and TV stations in return for filing stories on Yingluck before the election.

The fact-finding panel consists of Vichai Chokevivat of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Darunee, Somkiat Tangkitvanich of the Thailand Development Research Institute, Sittichoke Sricharoen of the Lawyers Council of Thailand and Banyat Tasaneeyavej from the NPC.

The inquiry is expected to produce results within 15 days, according to an NPC statement.