A delegation of foreign diplomats has called on the Thai media to respect the rights of crime victims.
Parents of migrant workers, Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, who were charged with the murder of David Miller, 24, and the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23, after their bodies were found on Koh Tao on Sept 15, weep as they arrive at Don Mueang airport yesterday to visit their sons. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)
Ambassadors from eight European countries on Wednesday met representatives of the four Thai media organisations at the office of the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) on Samsen Road.
The media organisations at the meeting were the TJA, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association (TBJA), the National Press Council of Thailand, and the News Broadcasting Council of Thailand.
The ambassadors handed over a letter to express their concern about the media's coverage of crime victims. They cited the murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao in Surat Thani.
The letter was signed by ambassadors from 20 European countries and Japan.
Italian ambassador Francesco Saverio Nisio, dean of the European diplomatic corps in Thailand, called on the media to work responsibly, respect the rights of victims and be careful not to hurt the feelings of victims' families.
He said the media should also respect the investigation process and give suspects the justice and fairness they deserve.
He said presentations of graphic pictures and details do not add value to stories, adding the media should keep a balance between public interest and an individual's privacy.
In the Koh Tao murders, Mr Nisio said, the victims' families have often learned details of the case before authorities confirmed them.
"We made the point that a free media is an important part of a functioning society, to educate its audience and to hold those in power to account in areas such as exposing corruption scandals. We recognise that news needs to be reported as quickly and fully as possible. But there is a balance to be struck," he said.
TBJA president Thepchai Yong said it was the first time so many foreign diplomats had met the media to discuss their concerns about improper news reporting. He said this was an opportunity for the media to review its role.
Mr Thepchai said while some stories and pictures are created on social media, not by mainstream media outlets, media organisations cannot shirk responsibility.
Before the meeting, British ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent voiced his concerns over the matter with National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) member Supinya Klangnarong.
He believes the media should observe appropriate ethical standards. Mr Kent cited the fact that the passport details of the two Koh Tao murder victims were published in traditional and social media.
He said a victim's personal information should not be passed on to the media unless it can add something to a story.
Ms Supinya said the NBTC will try to improve media ethics, but social media was beyond its control.