Court rejects DES Ministry's bid to tighten leash on media
The criminal court rejected the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry's push to block media on Wednesday, saying it had not provided clear explanations on how the law was allegedly violated.
The ministry had said earlier that it will continue keeping media in check as soon as the court issues an order. It also said it aims to shut down all platforms operated by the Free Youth group.
Putchapong Nodthaisong, the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, said moves to close media for violating the emergency decree was within the law.
He added that the ministry will also instruct media platforms, namely Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, to take action, though the final decision will depend on the platforms.
Though more than 1,000 accounts are being monitored, only a few have been suspended by social-media operators, Putchapong said.
The court has said that the ministry does not have enough evidence to shut down Voice TV, Prachathai.com, The Reporter and The Standard, though Free Youth is still being targeted.
Free Youth, meanwhile, responded to the government's moves by saying: "We are an inescapable movement, not just internet pages that you can shut down. We will continue to rise and reborn with dignity."