As media organisations intensify their war against the controversial media reform bill, proposed by a panel of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA), the coup-installed body needs to listen carefully.
The 30 media organisations have escalated their opposition, calling for pro-democracy activists, social media members, civic groups, and media professionals to join the campaign against the bill that was proposed by the media reform panel under ACM Kanit Suwannate. The bill, if put into effect, will open the door to state interference in press affairs, compromising press freedom.
In an open letter to the NRSA, which was filed via its vice-president Alongkorn Ponlaboot, the media organisations demanded the replacement of ACM Kanit as head of the panel in favour of someone well versed in journalism.
The Thai Journalists Association and its alliance also released a banner which showed a chained dove and a message demanding an end to media suppression as a "symbol of resistance" against the law.
Also, as an act of protest, prominent media representatives were to submit their resignations to a subcommittee on print media reform yesterday.
One representative, Chakkrit Permpool, a former chairman of the National Press Council of Thailand, said in proposing the bill, the NSRA had changed the content from what was left by the now-defunct National Reform Committee (NRC).
According to Mr Chakkrit, the old version promoted the media's role and duties, as well as stipulating self-regulation, which is opposite to the current version which seeks to compromise the media's watchdog role.
The most serious concern, as pointed out by Mr Chakkrit, involves the power of a national media council to issue and revoke licences for the media.
It is not acceptable that the council, comprising 13 members, will include permanent secretaries from the Finance, Culture, the Digital Economy ministries, and the PM's Office. The media expert has his point -- there must be no place for state officials on such a council.
Also cautious about the bill is the charter drafting committee (CDC). Meechai Ruchupan, the CDC's chairman, insisted the bill went against the referendum-approved charter which stipulated the press must have professional freedom.
His caution means that even if the bill is passed into law, it is likely to be doomed.
ACM Kanit's earlier attempt to defend the bill, by citing the representation of state officials in exchange for financial support, is not convincing.
Mr Alongkorn, in his capacity as NRSA vice-president, tried to appease the media. He insisted the assembly had no intention of controlling the media. During a meeting with media organisations yesterday, Mr Alongkorn expressed understanding over their concern and promised to take the matter to the assembly.
Earlier this week Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha criticised the public for not understanding reform. He should direct his criticism against some coup-installed bodies; in this case, it's the NRSA's media panel.
In fact, the attempt to push for such a contentious bill shows the assembly, whose job it is to promote reform, has little, if any idea about the true nature of reform.
The NRSA must be true to its mission, and take another look at the bill.
ACM Kanit, if he wants to keep his role on the panel, and Mr Alongkorn must keep their promises and pay heed to the concerns raised by media organisations.
That means improving the bill accordingly. If they can't go that far, they must drop it. Anything less is not acceptable.