(AJI/IFEX) – The following is a 24 August 2000 letter to Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member: 24 August 2000 His Excellency Chuan Leekpai Prime Minister Government House Thailand Fax: +66 2 282 8587 Your Excellency: The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) is deeply […]
(AJI/IFEX) – The following is a 24 August 2000 letter to Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), of which AJI is a member:
24 August 2000
His Excellency Chuan Leekpai
Prime Minister
Government House
Thailand
Fax: +66 2 282 8587
Your Excellency:
The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) is deeply disturbed by a new draft broadcasting bill released yesterday which could harm the cause of free expression and transparency in Thailand.
Like many emerging democracies, Thailand is drafting a broadcasting bill that will reform the procedure for the allocation and regulation of public airwave frequencies. This broadcast reform is one of the most crucial elements in Thailand’s future as a haven of free expression and public openness.
Prior to the promulgation of a new constitution in 1997 all electronic media outlets and airwave frequencies belonged to either government agencies or the armed forces. The new charter, which explicitly promotes freedom of expression, mandates that a National Broadcasting Commission be established to reallocate frequencies in the public interest. A broadcasting bill is to be drafted to govern the conduct of the seven member NBC, which is due to be selected later this year.
Unfortunately, on 23 August the Council of State, which is the legal arm of the government, unveiled a draft broadcasting bill that completely disregards a series of recommendations made in public hearings by media professionals, representatives of non-governmental organizations and independent media-monitoring watchdog groups. The draft bill, which is scheduled to be vetted in a cabinet meeting on 28 August, goes against the spirit of the 1997 constitution by granting broad authority to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to instantly and unilaterally censor all future radio and television programs.
The draft bill further exempts the government’s own Public Relations Department, which currently operates one TV station and around 130 radio stations throughout the country, from the need to seek a license from the commission to operate.
In recent years, Thailand has had a well-deserved reputation as a haven for press freedom in Southeast Asia. But in SEAPA’s view, print and electronic media are both considered journalistic entitities, each deserving the same freedom to operate without fear of censorship or government interference.
As an organization of Southeast Asian journalists dedicated to the defense and promotion of press freedom in the region, SEAPA strongly deplores the draft bill and respectfully urges your government to withdraw the bill and redraft the legislation to to conform with the principles embraced by Article 40 of the 1997 constitution, which guarantees media freedom and freedom of expression.
The bill in its current form could seriously undermine Thailand’s climate for media freedom and eventually damage the nation’s international image.
Respectfully yours,
Kavi Chongkittavorn
Recommended Action
Similar appeals can be sent to:
His Excellency Chuan Leekpai
Prime Minister
Government House
Bangkok, Thailand
Fax: +66 2 282 8587
