Steering assembly blames social media for society's ills

The issue was raised while members of the steering assembly were discussing media reform. 

NRSA member Worawit Sri-ananraksa said they must tackle the issue of the media and members of the public being used to create conflicts and national division. He said fast-changing technological advancements have brought about more effective communication channels that can reach the masses. 

“Some groups of people can communicate to the masses and they do not have the same goal in presenting their information as ethical media have. They actually use the communication channels [social media] to create hatred in society,’’ he said.

Media reform will not only cover mainstream or conventional media, but also any content presented by anyone that is deemed wrongful, he said.

NRSA member Pol Maj General Pisit Paoin said social media posed the biggest security threat because Thais are addicted to social media. 

“Our country is ranked in the world’s top ten countries that use Facebook. Without reform, we will face a lot of problems. People have been using this channel of communication to do illegal deeds that threaten national security,’’ he said.

The Media Reform Committee of the now-defunct National Reform Council believed the media should be upgraded in terms of quality and standards to serve the public and must uphold professional ethics to boost its credibility.

Jumpol said the media must be protected in terms of media rights and freedom of expression and it should be free from state interference and dominance.

Meanwhile, the NRSA will explain to foreign diplomats the country’s road map to democracy and reform on November 11, NRSA spokesman Suwat Jurapan said yesterday.

 The NRSA would also explain the road map to Thai diplomats stationed in 96 countries around the world on November 14 so they can pass the message on to their host governments, he said.

NRSA spokeswoman Khunying Pornthip Rojanasunand said the steering assembly has come up with five guidelines that it must follow. 

First, the assembly must abide by the 2014 interim charter to appoint 11 committees to work on reform and another special committee. It must continue the work on national reform of the now-defunct National Reform Council, the assembly must prioritise urgent reform issues that must be completed, the assembly must coordinate with other four core-agencies to work in the same direction.