By PPTVHD36 and Thai Newsroom
THE government confirmed today (June 20) that it has no policy to interfere with or pressure the media in denying reports that there is now special surveillance of certain news outlets.
Ms. Rachada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, said reports concerning media freedom and claims that the government is monitoring or specifically watching certain media outlets are incorrect.
“The government has no policy to block the media, has not issued any orders to interfere, and has not taken any action to pressure the media in performing its duties. The government, under the leadership of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, clearly affirms the principle that freedom of the press is a crucial mechanism in a democratic system.” she said.
The government respects the work of all media outlets, including mainstream media, online media, and public content producers, especially reporting based on facts, verifiable information, and focusing on public interest.
Thai Newsroom had earlier quoted an opposition lawmaker as saying that de facto Bhumjaithai boss Newin Chidchob may have been so displeased with Inside Thailand TV news commentary which had unrelentingly taken to task his son/Digital Economy & Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob over the contentious TH-AI Passport project that he allegedly managed to put an abrupt end to it.
Though the disputable AI project, the implementation of which was originally scheduled to begin as soon as early next month, may be viewed as a relatively low cost one estimated at about 1.6 billion baht, compared to other costly government projects, it is being eagerly pushed by the de facto Bhumjaithai boss’s son who would probably prefer to see nobody else stand in his way, particularly news commentator Danai “Mah Kae” Ekmahasawat of the Inside Thailand programme on the state-owned MCOT TV channel.
Finally, straightforward criticisms of the allegedly cronyism-driven AI project on the news commentary programme had prompted his father to have it unexpectedly terminated at the end of this month, according to People’s MP Pukkamon Nunarnan.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page – News teams covering an event. Photo – PPTVHD36
Insert – Danai “Mah Kae” Ekmahasawat. Photo – MNG Online
Also read:
HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha has passed away
TV news commentary terminated after taking Newin’s son to task over AI project
People’s unjustly defamed with forex scam to distract public attention on AI project: Pijarn
Third phase of nominee crackdown in Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga kicks off
Anutin holds talks with Hun Manet during summit in Russia
Pawut will be undefended if found involved in forex scams: Pukkamon
Anutin does not dare do anything to ‘boss’s son’ over AI project?
PM pressed to set up panel to investigate ‘Do Help the Blue’ scandal
Parolee-turned-free Thaksin leaving for Dubai
Veteran US journalist laments the Lost Horizons of Asia and America
