Who is being manipulated here?

Spare a thought for poor A Johnsen, apparently down in the dumps because The Nation hardly prints his letters anymore. He speculates that a possible change in editor might be the reason, but could it be that his letters are just not good enough, or that he keeps referring to the ludicrous Kremlin propaganda mouthpiece Land Destroyer? In a recent article this website referred to what it called the “alleged” poisoning in Salisbury UK of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, as if there was any doubt about their fate. Except in the minds of deluded conspiracy theorists, I suppose.
Johnsen also refers to the possible foreign funding of pro-democracy groups here in Thailand, and mentions the US-based New Endowment for Democracy (NED) as a possible “culprit”, as claimed by, yes, you guessed it, Land Destroyer. Well, there is nothing furtive about NED’s activities in Thailand. A quick check of their website reveals that they openly support democratic movements in 90 countries around the world, including Thailand. The claims by some that pro-democracy activists here in Thailand are mere paid dupes of shadowy foreign manipulators is ridiculous; they are smart young people with their own vision of a better future for the country.
It is true that, according to recent opinion polls, Prime Minister Prayut enjoys considerable support, which is fine, but why should Johnsen take exception to coverage by The Nation of groups which oppose him? Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and should be able to express it, and The Nation should be free to exercise its editorial discretion. That’s democracy, and freedom of speech, at work! Perhaps A Johnsen should spend less time poring over the output of dubious websites and return to the real world. Maybe then he might get more letters published.
Robin Grant
Bangkok