'Thairath' senior reporter elected Thai Journalists Association head

'Thairath' senior reporter elected Thai Journalists Association head

Thairath senior reporter Paramet Lekpetch was on Saturday elected president of the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) at its annual meeting, vowing to fight against the government's attempts to control the media.

Mr Paramet replaces Wanchai Wongmeechai, senior editor of Naewna newspaper, whose one-year term ended on Saturday.

Along with the election of the president, 14 committee members of the TJA board were elected.

Paramet Lekpetch. Photo: supplied

Among the new committee members are Mongkol Bangprapa, senior reporter from the Bangkok Post, in charge of administration; Chairith Yonpiam, chief reporter on politics and general news from Post Today, in charge of rights and freedom of the press; Anucha Charoenpo, news editor from the Bangkok Post, in charge of international affairs; and Norinee Ruangnoo, chief reporter on public health and quality of living from Matichon, in charge of academic affairs.

Pratyachai Dutchthuyanuwat, chief reporter on political news from Thai Post, was elected TJA spokesperson.

Mr Paramet assured the public and media professionals that he will spearhead a campaign against the government's draft bill aimed at regulating the media.

He was referring to the draft bill requiring all media to register and submit to a national media council. All outlets -- including broadcast, print and digital -- would be overseen by the same council.

"The new TJA board under my leadership will move forward to protect the freedom of the media, which means the freedom of the people," he said.

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