Permanent secretaries on media council reduced to two
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The National Reform Steering Assembly’s (NRSA) media reform committee decided on Tuesday to reduce the number of permanent secretaries on the media professional council from four to two after strong oppositions by the media organisations.
It will, however, maintain authority on media licensing.
The permanent secretaries to remain in the council will be from the Culture Ministry and of the PM’s Office.
The two vacancies will be filled by representatives from the National Human Rights Commission and the Consumer Protection Board.
ACM Kanit Suwannet, the committee’s chairman, insisted that state representatives remain on the council to ensure collaboration between the state and the media. He downplayed fears of state interference, saying the two positions would likely not override the majority.
The reduction to two, he said, should be sufficient to show sincerity and prove that the state had no intention to interfere with media affairs.
