The Thai Journalists Association (TJA) agreed Sunday to set up a panel to unearth the truth about a sexual harassment allegation against an executive of a media outlet.
TJA secretary-general Mongkol Bangprapa of the Bangkok Post said it will seek to verify or debunk the accusation as the case has thrown the credibility and ethical conduct of the media into question.
Journalists and experts attached to various news agencies will be appointed as panelists, Mr Mongkol said after a special TJA meeting on the issue.
The decision came after a group of almost 20 field reporters yesterday submitted an open letter along with their names to the TJA, urging the association to set up the panel to see whether there are grounds to the allegation.
The group said the incident has tainted the reputation of the media as the alleged act represents a severe breach of conduct.
The request came after Sumeth Somkanae, a veteran Thai Rath reporter who also is a TJA committee member and president of the National Union of Journalists, posted a Facebook message in July showing the frequency of sexual harassment cases or claims compiled from several media outlets.
According to his post, Mr Sumeth said an employee was sexually assaulted by an executive of a media organisation, forcing the victim to resign. He refused to disclose names and the news quickly went viral on social media. But he later drew heavy criticism from media professionals for posting the allegation.
Mr Sumeth urged media employees who have experienced sexual harassment to tell him their stories. He also called on the Isra News Agency to help investigate and expose the issue.
Mr Mongkol, however, said the situation could be made worse by Mr Sumeth's post as previous sexual harassment cases that had nothing to do with the latest allegation could mislead netizens and affect the victim and the accused.
He also asked all media outlets to be careful when reporting news which could be exaggerated and damage reputations.
They should wait until the TJA panel wraps up its probe and unveils the facts, he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Sumeth defended his actions, saying the information on his Facebook post was based on a study of sexual harassment problems in various media organisations conducted by the union since July. No names of individuals or organisations were mentioned, he said.
Mr Sumeth said the International Labour Organisation (ILO) condemns sexual harassment as "a repulsive sexual act which violates rights of victims".
According to the ILO, such acts in the workplace can be divided into two categories. In the first, victims may be forced into sexual acts in exchange for a higher salary, promotion or just to keep their job; while those in the second group are intentionally humiliated by verbal and/or physical sexual advances.