Thai media faces up to 'dark ages'
The Nation, Asia News Network, Bangkok
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is absolutely right. Reporters, columnists or commentators are fallible beings whose opinions can be misleading. But his philosophical remarks yesterday about the dangers of an irresponsible media touches on only a bit of the truth. First and foremost, he himself is only human and his opinions, especially as he's in such a powerful position, need to be counter-balanced. Moreover, this world needs a free flow of "wrong" opinions in order to shape what is actually "right".
Democracy is about building, through trial and error. It's about absorbing ideas and exploring their values, and about finding common ground and locating the merits from unlikely sources. On the other hand, dictatorship is about one man forcing others to accept his ideas -- and his alone. Thaksin has shown adequately which side of the fence he is on. All of his critics are "enemies" who have to be controlled, intimidated or simply wiped out. Consequently, Thailand is becoming a country where freedom of speech is limited to those willing to admire the emperor's clothes.
The Nation Group has decided to suspend its political coverage on UBC 8 because of the ominous atmosphere now pervading the country. The decision was made after the virtual ban on our radio news program on 90.5 MHz. But it was based also on other incidents which have convinced us that the once-cherished freedom of expression in Thailand -- something we all have been proud of for years -- is no more.
The suspension of political news on Nation Channel is meant to send a social message. When we embarked on the historic move to provide Thailand with its first around-the-clock TV news in 1999, we knew it was not going to be easy. But Nation Multimedia Group has proven to be truly professional in the face of business complications and the fact that survival in the tough world of broadcasting still depends on policy-makers. The immense political pressure that has swamped us in the past few days is testimony to our efforts.
Political coverage on UBC 8 will not return until the black clouds are dispersed. The station will remain an objective news channel, dealing with every non-political issue.
Thaksin says he had no hand in what is happening to Nation Group's TV and radio operations. The people can decide whether he's telling the truth. We are concerned only with government critics being eliminated one after another, the "other side of the story" will get paler and paler.
The Nation's print journalists have sworn to keep the looming "Dark Ages" at bay. As always, they will perform their duties with the highest ethical standards, along with their counterparts in other organizations, whose sympathy for us yesterday is thankfully accepted.
Not since May 1992 has the Thai media been placed in such a precarious position. Then, broadcasters were censored and newspapers were shut down under intimidation and threats. That was in the midst of violent upheavals that scarred the country. Today, there is no violence. But if any ruler wants to believe that people will remain, he can do so at his own risks.