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