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Over the past week, the interim Thai government has engaged in blatant attempts to muzzle the broadcast media, in particular by warning them not to broadcast messages by former Prime Minister Thaksin, and threatening repercussions for any failure to comply. Toby Mendel, Law and Asia Programmes Director at ARTICLE 19 said:
“The interim government claims that it is working towards the re-establishment of full democracy in Thailand. A key element of democracy is tolerance of views critical to one’s leadership, as well as of the political views of others.”
On 10 January 2007, around 50 broadcasting executives were summoned to a meeting with generals of the ruling Council for National Security (CNS) and warned not to broadcast messages from Thaksin. General Winai Patthiyakul, CNS Secretary-General, stated: “I want to ask every television channel and every radio station not to broadcast messages or statements of the former prime minister and leaders of the past ruling party.” Winai also threatened to use Military Order No. 10, issued on 20 September 2006, which requested cooperation by the media to achieve national reconciliation, as well as powers under the Martial Law, should the media fail to respect this ‘request’. The Martial Law remains in force in most provinces, contrary to earlier promises by the CNS, due to a ‘technicality’.
In response to the ensuing media outcry, CNS Chief General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin later claimed: “We’re asking for cooperation. If they don’t cooperate, it’s fine. It is voluntary and they can choose when to cooperate.” However, on 15 January, a CNN interview with Thaksin was blocked by Thai cable operator UBC. General Sonthi denied having given an order not to broadcast the CNN interview, stating: “It’s cooperation. Everybody cooperated with us.”
ARTICLE 19 condemns these direct attempts to stifle media freedom, which are tantamount to censorship. They both discredit the interim government and bolster the image of the ousted administration. In times of transition, rulers often seek to control the media. It is, however, of the greatest importance that the process of transition is democratic, allowing society as a whole to participate fully and to decide the way forward. Media freedom is central to this. ARTICLE 19 urges the CNS to:
• Issue a statement retracting calls on the media not to report on Thaksin and indicating its full support for media freedom.
• Commit to supporting the inclusion of strong guarantees of freedom of expression in the new constitution currently being drafted.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
• For more information, please contact Catrina Pickering, Programme Officer, ARTICLE 19, +44 20 7278 9292, catrina@article19.org
• ARTICLE 19 is an independent human rights organisation that works around the world to protect and promote the right to freedom of expression. It takes its name from Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees free speech.
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ARTICLE 19 is an independent human rights organisation that works around the world to protect and promote the right to freedom of expression. It takes its name from Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees free speech.
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