PM assigns legal officials to find solutions to concerns over media reform bill
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday assigned government legal officials to find solutions to concerns raised by media organisations over the controversial media reform draft bill.
He insisted that the government would undertake a rounded consideration of the bill as a way to “enhance” the quality of media workers.
“The thing is we have to listen to all sides and find a way to increase their [media professionals’] quality,” Prayut said.
“Media organisations, editors and reporters all have to be responsible. If they can think of a way to regulate themselves, then propose it to us,” he added.
Speaking after the weekly Cabinet meeting, the PM said he had informed legal officers, including his deputy Wissanu Krea-ngam, Justice Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana and the Council of State, to find solutions.
The controversial draft bill, feared by the media sector for its tendency to allow the authorities to infiltrate media affairs, was endorsed on Monday by the National Reform Steering Assembly.
It will be forwarded for the Cabinet’s consideration before being handed over to the National Legislative Assembly for three-reading deliberations.
The premier also reiterated that the government had no intention of scrapping or casting a shadow over the media.
“We have to support the media’s function,” he said. “But I also ask the media to report cautiously in these times.”