The state-owned broadcaster MCOT Plc is under fire for removing a host from an election programme on the ground that she tried to "create a pretext for an attack on the government''.
The MCOT board has removed Orawan Choodee from a TV programme that she designed and hosted after it allowed students present in the studio to vote on certain political questions during a live debate.
Orawan: Relieved of duties
Ms Orawan wrote on Facebook on Friday that she had received an order "relieving me of my duties" after the programme aired on Thursday.
The programme invited 10 first-time MP candidates to take part and then asked 100 students who were also in the studio four questions, such as ''Do you agree with Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha deciding not to join a debate?, "Do you agree with the provisional clause in the 2017 constitution that lets 250 senators join the vote to choose prime ministers in the first five years?.
Others were "Do you agree that the 20-year national strategy is necessary for Thailand?, "Do you agree that it doesn't matter whether the rule of the country is fully or partially democratic so long as people's quality of life improves?'' The students mostly answered they disagreed, 94, 99, 98 and 83 out of 100 votes for the questions respectively, she wrote.
The Thai Broadcast Journalists Association (TBJA) said yesterday Ms Orawan's actions were not sufficient proof that she tried to create a pretext for an attack on the government. It urged the MCOT board to reconsider the order.
The TBJA said the board's decision interfered with media freedom and threatened the media. It also breached the people's right to information. The MCOT board has yet to explain its decision.
Meanwhile, the MCOT labour union chief Suwit Mingmol said the agency is checking the reasons behind the decision, but will do its best to protect the people's right to information.
Pheu Thai Party's prime ministerial candidate Chadchart Sittipunt and Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit slammed the order as meddling with the public's right to know.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the MCOT board should review its decision as the country is now moving towards democracy.