(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) strongly protests an order to shut down the anti-graft website, Corruption Watch (http://www.corruptionwatch.net). The site has been in operation for less than a month but has gained a large readership because of its reports on alleged corruption and non-transparent business transactions, including the recent multi-million dollar deal […]
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) strongly protests an order to shut down the anti-graft website, Corruption Watch (http://www.corruptionwatch.net). The site has been in operation for less than a month but has gained a large readership because of its reports on alleged corruption and non-transparent business transactions, including the recent multi-million dollar deal between the Shinawatra family and Singapore’s Temasek Holdings.
On 31 January, local newspapers reported that the anti-corruption website had received a letter on 27 January from its web-hosting company, Thai Dream. The letter advised that the website would be closed down on 1 February. The company did not give a reason for discontinuing the service.
The government has denied involvement in the closure order but all fingers point to the state, as all Internet providers in Thailand come under the supervision of government-owned Cat Telecom, the country’s largest telecommunication enterprise.
“The order is obviously a deliberate attempt by the government to prevent the public from scrutinising the government’s anomalous practices,” said a SEAPA statement.
Founders of the site have demanded an explanation from the Ministry of Information and Communication, saying they did not believe that a small Internet provider would terminate their service without good reason.
Launched only last 9 January, Corruption Watch was established to monitor corruption among government officials, civil servants and the private sector. Its founders include known graft fighters Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka and Klanarong Chantik, former secretary-general of the National Counter-Corruption Commission.
According to a local daily, “Thaiday”, since the launch of the site, Corruption Watch has received about 900 graft complaints.
The order to close down the site came a day after Cat Telecom ordered another internet company to sever links with ASTV, a satellite television network that broadcasts media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul’s critical weekly talk show. The show was originally aired on pro-government Channel 9 but was removed in September 2005 due its critical content regarding the government and Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
In 2005, the government shut down several critical websites, citing national security concerns.
“We urge the government stop this outrageous act as it violates Article 39 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression – especially the right to disseminate information without any restrictions,” said SEAPA.
