Wissanu extends olive branch of ‘compromise’ to media over regulatory draft bill

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has assigned Wissanu, the Justice Ministry and the Council of State to look into differences over the controversial bill “to find the best solutions”. 
Wissanu said on Wednesday that he had not set an agenda for the discussions but would consider the letter 30 media organisations submitting to the prime minister on Tuesday.
In the letter, the media representatives said they were still concerned about the “media professional council” proposed in the bill, fearing it would allow the state to take part in the industry despite the press having a role to monitor the government’s use of power.
“I believe we can discuss with compromises. Eventually, all sides will live with unity and reconciliation,” he said.
He said he had ordered his staff to analyse the draft bill, which has already endorsed by the National Reform Steering Assembly. 
He said the government would organise a public forum to hear opinions from all sides in accordance with Article 77 of the new Constitution, which states that before issuing new laws, the government must organise public forums to listen to the opinions expressed by involved agencies and the public.