Media says new order curbs freedoms

Media says new order curbs freedoms

Prayut urged to review immunity for NBTC

Five major media organisations have called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to review his latest order, which they say restricts freedom of expression.

The organisations are the Thai Journalists Association, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, the National Press Council of Thailand, the News Broadcasting Council of Thailand, and the Online News Providers Association.

In a joint statement issued yesterday, the media organisations referred to an order issued under Section 44 of the interim constitution by Gen Prayut as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief, which was announced in the Royal Gazette on Thursday.

The order grants National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) officials immunity from criminal and civil lawsuits if they pull the plug on TV and radio stations deemed to be running illegal content.

The order lists seven prohibited broadcasting criteria which if breached could result in the NBTC suspending or revoking the licences of offending radio and TV operators under Section 37 of the Operation of Radio and Television Broadcasting Business Act.

The order covers false information; or potentially defamatory material towards the monarchy; news that could harm national security; dishonest criticism of the NCPO; confidential material of state agencies; information causing incitement and division; calls for assembly to oppose state authorities; and threats against individuals.

The order also stipulates that NBTC personnel would be shielded from criminal and civil prosecution as well as disciplinary action if they perform their duties properly in overseeing broadcast content.

The media organisations' statement said the order has restricted press freedom and freedom of expression among the public, particularly the ability to discuss the draft constitution, which will be put to a vote in the Aug 7 referendum.

This could affect the legitimacy of the referendum which in turn may not gain recognition from the public and foreign countries, according to the statement.

With the order expanding the NBTC's power to curb press freedom, the media will be too scared to do its job properly, which will result in the public receiving incomplete and misleading information, the statement said.

"The NBTC will become a tool to restrict press freedom and the media will do its job in fear," according to the statement.

The media organisations urged the NCPO chief to review the order and avoid using excessive power to cripple the media's ability to present news reports freely.

They also said even though the NBTC has been given immunity from lawsuits, the NBTC, as an independent organisation, must be cautious in the way it exercises its power and must be free of any political influence.

The media organisations also said there are signs that more legislation will be issued to interfere with and restrain the media.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam yesterday explained that the latest order is intended to protect NBTC officials from prosecution on condition that they carry out their duty honestly without discrimination, and avoid being heavy-handed.

Mr Wissanu also said the NCPO's latest order is not directed at newspapers.

Media outlets that are targeted for tighter regulatory control under the NCPO's new order are mostly community radio stations, Mr Wissanu said, adding that the order is designed mainly to deal with those involved in insulting the monarchy.

The deputy prime minister also dismissed concern that the order will affect the climate ahead of the Aug 7 referendum on the draft constitution.

Supinya Klangnarong, an NBTC member, yesterday wrote on Twitter, saying that she disagreed with the NCPO's new order.

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