WRITER: MONGKOL BANGPRAPA & KORNCHANOK RAKSASERI
NRSA says bill won't hinder press freedom
Thirty media organisations are stepping up moves against a bill they say will pave the way for the regime to control the media.
The National Reform Steering Assembly's (NRSA) media reform steering panel, which is working on the bill, remains adamant the measure is not designed to constrain freedom of the press.
Media groups on Sunday slammed the bill, saying it is not based on principles of free press.
Instead, they say, the document is crafted to allow state interference and control of the media.
The measure is called the "bill on rights protection, ethical promotion and standards of media professionals", a name called Orwellian by some.
A crucial point of concern involves the proposed "national media profession council" which would have government members and is empowered to penalise media outlets who violate codes of conduct.
The council is made of 13 members, four of whom are permanent secretaries of finance, digital economy and society, culture, and the Office of the PM.
The proposed participation of the permanent secretaries has sparked criticism that they are the channel of political power to meddle in the media.
Another involves a requirement that every media professional must be licensed by the government.
Read the full story at BangkokPost