Govt denies press intimidation
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung on Thursday rebutted a motion on press intimidation raised during the House question-and-answer session, acting on the prime minister's behalf.
Although PM Yingluck Shinawatra was supposed to answer queries from MPs, House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont cited past precedents in arguing that she could designate a Cabinet member to take questions from MPs.
In his motion, Bhum Jai Thai MP Supachai Jaisamut said he suspected the government had condoned the chain e-mailing by the red shirts to intimidate a Channel 7 reporter.
Chalerm rebutted that the government had no involvement in the incident and that the suspect had already scheduled an appointment to report to police by next week.
"This government will definitely not interfere with the press," he said.
He said from his point of view, the e-mail in question had no message that could be construed as intimidation. He also blamed the reporter for provocation by framing her question to the prime minister like she was an opposition lawmaker, hence leading to the e-mail questioning her professional conduct.
