FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Govt criticised for bid to influence media coverage

Govt criticised for bid to influence media coverage

Media professionals on Thursday slammed the Government Public Relations Department (PRD)’s attempt to interfere in the decision-making of broadcasting media by asking them to report on “underrated” ministers as well as asking them to provide recordings to the PRD-affiliated National Broadcasting Services of Thailand.

The plan was announced to the media by PRD acting director-general Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd, who is also the government spokesperson, on Wednesday as guidelines for media’s coverage of the mobile Cabinet meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima next week.
Thepchai Yong, president of the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, said what Sansern did was tantamount to interference in the media’s work. “It is not a wise move on the part of the government, as this could be seen as an attempt to dictate to the media,” Thepchai said.
He insisted that the media have a professional responsibility to report truthfully and hold those in power and interested groups accountable, not to serve as a public relations tool for the government. 
Weerasak Pongaksorn, managing editor of Nation TV, stressed that the media uses its own discretion on reporting. “We’re free to consider what to report and what not for social benefit,” Weerasak said.

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