Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Meechai Ruchupan says tougher laws are not needed in media reform, saying the new constitution will protect the rights of the media.
He said the government did not want to meddle in media affairs, so media outlets can reform themselves.
Mr Meechai was speaking during a seminar on media reform at the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, Thammasat University, Thursday.
He said it was difficult to draft laws to regulate the media as enforcing them could violate freedom of speech, which is their basic right.
Also, the new charter has three sections -- 35, 98 and 184 -- to help regulate the media and prevent outlets from being manipulated by politicians.
Under Section 35, basic rights of the media will be protected and the closure of media outlets is prohibited while Section 98 stipulates that political post-holders must not be owners or shareholders of any media companies to prevent politicians from manipulating media both directly and indirectly.
Mr Meechai said owners of media outlets should not be political post-holders to avoid conflicts of interest as the media's duty is to scrutinise the exercise of state power mechanisms.
He said politicians who understand the power of the media have tried to manipulate its operation while owners of some media outlets allowed them to do so as they wanted more revenue.
Some journalists who were acquainted with politicians also reported news in their favour.
The new charter will help prevent the state from interfering in media affairs, adding any reform should be conducted by the media themselves, he said.
Mr Meechai said media outlets should not rely only on legal mechanisms to being about regulation. They should work together to figure out measures to enhance the media profession.
Mr Meechai said he wanted the media to work at its full capacity, not to favour businessmen or politicians, adding outlets should come up with measures to uphold ethical standards.
Universities should also develop their mass media curriculum to produce quality human resources, he said.
As for the public, if media outlets were biased and reported contents violating their rights, they can also take legal action against the media or opt to read news or purchase newspapers from reliable media outlets.
Mr Meechai said the main responsibilities of the media were to report facts honestly and express their opinions as well as welcoming different opinions without prejudice.
Today, several media companies reported news with bias against individuals, leading to misunderstanding among the public and conflicts in society.
Also on Thursday, Chakrit Permpoon of the Thai Journalists Association, said media reform had never occurred since the 2014 coup.
Also, the National Council for Peace and Order earlier mentioned media reform was needed as the media's reports also contributed to the country's division and conflicts over past years.
Previously, the National Reform Council and the National Reform Steering Assembly also proposed to set up a professional organisation and a draft law to regulate the media.
Under the proposed law, members of media outlets would be required to hold a professional licence, Mr Chakrit said.
"I'm afraid of the concept of the professional organisation and licence because representatives from the state will have a hand in media affairs," Mr Chakrit said.
"The association can't allow such action to happen."
Former National Press Council of Thailand president Pattara Khampitak also voiced his opposition against law enforcement in media reform, saying a new law was not required if the media performed their duty properly.
Mr Pattara said owners of media outlets and the state should work together on reform while members of media organisations had to help each other to devise proper ways to enhance working abilities to benefit the country.
Also at the seminar, council president Chawarong Limpattamapanee proposed having inspectors inside media companies to regulate their operations, adding a division to receive complaints from those affected by news content should be set up as well.