‘Nation’ shows bias in poll reporting
Does The Nation stir moods with its current tendency of dissatisfaction about the watchman and the poll delay, actually pouring gas on the fire?
And how big is the fire? Reading some commentators and editorials, it feels we are living on the edge, just before a collapse of the nation, and something has to be done – now.
All these comments and analyses fit well with how Pheu Thai see the situation, so you could call these commentators useful idiots for Pheu Thai/Thaksin/UDD, if they aren’t already sympathisers but intend to be neutral. But how is actually the mood in the nation now? Publishing the latest poll by Bangkok University, The Nation chose to analyse the results from the less-than-half-empty-glass perspective.
Its report noted that 48.2 per cent of the respondents said the junta “needs to finish its political reforms and other tasks sooner rather than later”. So what about the majority – the 51.8 per cent, no comments on them?
“Overall, 47.5 per cent of respondents were not sure if the government would be successful in tackling issues concerning people’s economic well-being”, but what about the 52.5-per-cent majority?
And “37.3 per cent ...worried about the rising prices of petrol and cooking gas”, yet no comment on the huge 62.7-per-cent majority who not are worried?
Then, “37.1 per cent said they were worried about the general election timeline, while 48.2 per cent said the NCPO should have achieved its goals more quickly”.
That means the majority of 62.9 per cent is not worried about the election timeline and 51.8 per cent are satisfied with NCPO progress. Isn’t this a biased interpretation of the poll?
This is campaign journalism and very risky in a tense time when crocodiles are lurking in the weeds. You do not want it violent again, do you? So, calm down. And of course, be more calm if Prawit steps down or is fired if proven guilty over the wristwatches. And Prayut should once and for all set the final election date, live on all Thai TV channels.
A Johnsen
