The country's four major media associations have asked the Constitution Drafting Committee to exclude from the new charter a provision governing the existence of the press, but encouraging it to exercise self-supervision to ensure freedom of speech.
The Thai Journalists Association, Press Council of Thailand, Thai Broadcasting Journalists Association, and News Broadcasting Council of Thailand submitted a letter to CDC chairman to Meechai Ruchupan via Thitiphan Chuaboonchai, chairman of a CDC sub-committee charged with gathering opinions on the new constitution.
Thepchai Yong, the TBJA president, said the new constitution should guarantee freedom of expression, writing, printing, advertising and other forms of communication.
There should be a provision to prevent interference with the media. Examples of meddling would include orders to close media outlets or prohibit publication of news or opinion, in part or in whole.
He said the media itself should have high journalistic and professional ethics. More importantly, holders of political positions must be banned from owning or holding shares in newspaper, radio, television or telecommunication companies.
The new constitution should guarantee the freedom of expression by officials and employees of both government and private offices to prevent them from being controlled by supervisers or employers.
Mr Thepchai went on the say that the four media associations do not want the new constitution to contain a provision governing their existence. The charter should instead encourage the media to exercise self-policing. At the same time, the public should be educated in the roles of the media and how to exercise their legal rights to protect themselves in case their rights are infringed upon.
The constitution should define broadcast frequencies as national communications resources for public use. There should be an independent state organisation to allocate frequencies and supervise related businesses. Local communities should be able to take part in running a public media organisation with responsibility to society, he said.
After submitting the letter, representatives from the four media groups met with Mr Meechai.
He said that since the media organisations do not want the charter to contain a provision to govern their existence, it may be necessary to draft regulations governing morality and professional ethics so the public understands its rights.
He said current orders by the National Council for Peace and Order restricting the media would be abolished automatically after the new constitution is adopted.
