Thai junta's gag on media raises alarm, criticism

Critics and journalists raised concerns today about the Thai military government's latest move to tighten its grip on the media by banning them from criticising the junta's operations and threatening to immediately suspend the broadcast or publication of content that defies the order.
The National Council for Peace and Order issued an order yesterday prohibiting criticism by anyone on all forms of media against the operations of the junta and its personnel.
It also asked media operators and "any other individuals" to refrain from disseminating content banned by the military government, including news and information that could create resistance against the junta.

The edict also prohibited interviews of academics, former civil servants or former employees of courts, judicial offices and independent organisations who could "give opinions in a manner that can inflict or worsen the conflict, distort information, create confusion in the society or lead to the use of violence."
Thai Journalists Association chairman Pradit Ruangdit said the junta's order could affect the people's rights to access news and information and may allow authorities to abuse their power in suspending the broadcast or publication violating the order.
"It is not clear if there will be any warnings, any steps or any approaches in determining the offense," Pradit said in a statement. "If there is an abuse of power and there is no check and balance process, it is more likely that this will create a bad impact."

He said the Thai Journalists Association would call a meeting next week with media executives and professionals to discuss and find a solution to the problem.

Yesterday's order was an amended, more comprehensive version of two previous edicts infringing on media freedom issued by the junta after the May 22 military coup.
Shortly before that, the military, exercising provisions under martial law, ordered a closedown of 14 partisan television networks both pro- and anti-government stations and nearly 3,000 unlicensed community radio stations across Thailand.
Critics said the order to censor all forms of media was expansive and contradicted the message the coup leader, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, has attempted to send to the Thai people.