Media must self-regulate, says Meechai

Media must self-regulate, says Meechai

The junta's constitution written under the supervision of Meechai Ruchupan (above) specifies media freedom, but Mr Meechai is calling for the press to agree to write their own rules for 'self-regulation'. (File photo)
The junta's constitution written under the supervision of Meechai Ruchupan (above) specifies media freedom, but Mr Meechai is calling for the press to agree to write their own rules for 'self-regulation'. (File photo)

Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) chairman Meechai Ruchupan on Wednesday stressed the need for media outlets and organisations to push for a law to promote and enforce self-regulation.

Delivering a keynote speech to mark the 21st anniversary of the Press Council of Thailand, Mr Meechai said the time was right for the media to roll out a legal mechanism that would enhance self-regulation without compromising press freedom.

He said media profession groups should join hands in setting up a self-regulatory body which should be empowered by a law to examine the ethical conduct of all media branches.

"[The body] should also comprise outsiders who may have different opinions. It should have a juristic person status and set up an ethical framework applied to all media branches.

"When there is a breach of ethical conduct, the body should publicly address the issue. Those who do their job in good faith should be exempt from being sued. They should not see their licences revoked," he said.

Mr Meechai said his proposal is unlikely to infringe on freedom of the press and its objective is to maintain the media's integrity, defend its freedom of expression and protect the public from abuse.

He said the media face two challenges in doing their job -- presenting facts to the public and providing opinions without pressure or interference.

He said he did not believe in "100%" free press, noting that media outlets operate with a certain degree of restrictions imposed by owners, sponsors as well as the public.

Discussing the history of the media's struggle for a free press, he said media freedom and independence are finally recognised by the constitution and even media owners are barred from politics.

The media outlets operate under their own codes of conduct which in some cases are ineffective, he said, noting that members of the media professions opt to resign when their conduct is called into question.

He said the public plays an important part in shaping media content due to social media and some people tend to believe what they see on social media more than content offered by mainstream media.

According to Mr Meechai, the introduction of the Computer Crime Act was in part due to the expanding role of social media whose users are deemed unaware of the principles.

The CDC chairman also expressed confidence that the Press Council of Thailand could serve as a pillar for the media organisations.

He played down media concerns about National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) orders regulating media operations, saying the media were free to produce and present content without interference from the regime.

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