Seek independent agencies to keep eye on reporting
Many media groups issued an open letter on media reform yesterday addressed not just to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, but also the public.
"Press freedom should exist alongside morals and adherence to media ethics," the letter said.
The Thai Journalists Association, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association and Thailand Cable TV Association were among 10 bodies who put their names to the letter, which was issued in response to Abhisit's road map to national reconciliation.
The road map, which was released last week, emphasised that while media shall have the freedom to present information, independent mechanisms should be installed to ensure that no media outlet tries to incite hatred or encourage conflicts.
In the letter, the media agencies admitted that some outlets had indeed distorted information and caused conflicts in society over the last few years. They urged people to exercise their judgement when receiving information from media.
"If you find anything inappropriate, alert us immediately," the media organisations said.
They argue that only ethical media outlets should be protected under the Constitution.
They also supported the idea of having independent organisations in the academic or civil sector monitor the media in order to protect consumers.
The open letter also encouraged the government to quickly overhaul NBT television station.
It said the Senate should expedite its vetting of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) bill.
The 10 media groups said that once the NBTC has been set up the government and all other relevant parties should fully support it to ensure it can work in a fair and efficient manner.
The letter said that until the NBTC was established, the subcommittee on broadcasting under the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) should ensure that community radio stations, satellite and cable TV stations operate legally.
"All media outlets should be ethical and take responsibility for ethical offences," the letter said.
The 10 media organisations said they were ready to work with the government and other parties in pushing for media reform so it "allows the media to work with freedom and social responsibility, and toward national reconciliation".