FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Media must step up in fight against corruption

Media must step up in fight against corruption

Re: "Why corruption always wins in Thailand", Stoppage Time, March 25.

I was disappointed that Tulsathit Taptim so pessimistic about the possibility of reducing corruption in Thailand. Many other countries in our region have little or moderate corruption, including Singapore and Hong Kong. So, what is special about Thailand that blocks its progress in fighting corruption? Agencies such as the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Anti-Money Laundering Organisation are working effectively.
You wrote, “practically everyone is to blame for the failure of Thailand’s fight against corruption”, but you failed to include your own field, the media. The media in Thailand has contributed little to the fight against corruption. Three failures can be identified.
First, there is little investigative journalism in Thailand to expose cases of corruption and provide evidence.
Second, there is very little reporting of court decisions and the penalties imposed, particularly imprisonment, asset seizures and heavy fines, for serious corruption. Publicising these penalties would act to counter the motives for corruption, which are wealth, influence and status.
Third, is the frequent failure of journalists to ask pertinent questions and report the answers or non-answers, particularly from organisations that claim to be transparent. These are questions that many readers and viewers ask themselves when reading or watching the news.
Ray W Archer
nationthailand