Media told not to offend Muslims

Media told not to offend Muslims

THAILAND: The army chief has urged presenters on the more than
200 army-owned radio and television networks in Thailand to avoid
using words abusive to Muslims, an army spokesman said in Bangkok
on Thursday.

Thailand's Muslim minority are upset about terms such as
"Muslim terrorist" or "Muslim bandit" used in the extensive
coverage of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States and the
military strikes against Afghanistan, said Col. Somkuan
Saengpattaranetr, the army spokesman.

Army commander Gen. Surayud Chulanont heard the concerns of
Muslim leaders about media content in a weekend meeting in
southern Thailand, where most of the minority live. Some 95
percent of Thais are Buddhists and about 4 percent are Muslims.

Thai Muslim leaders have voiced opposition to the U.S.-British
military attack on Afghanistan and want Thailand to remain
neutral in the conflict. Islamic radicalism is rare. --AP