The Thai Journalists Association, the Thai Broadcast Journalists
Association and the Confederation of Thai Journalists join the UNESCO
celebration of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, to reaffirm the basic
principles of freedom of the press and freedom of expression. The occasion
aims to create greater public awareness of the importance of media freedom,
which also means freedom of people to be informed.

On this occasion, we three organizations call upon the Thai government to
recognize the importance of this date and to pay attention to the
following:

1. Even though the current Constitution explicitly stipulates the
obligation of the government to guarantee media freedom, under the current
administration, led by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, a hostile and
threatening climate toward the media prevails.

New forms of threat against the media have emerged under this government,
involving aggressive and crude official statements and the use of state
media to rebuke the independent media. For example, in his TV political
talk show entitled "Samak Talks", the prime minister often propagates ideas
that lead the public to misunderstand the media's work, and he frequently
uses this platform to threaten the media, columnists and some television
and radio programs.

This behavior reflects his intolerance towards different views, which
entirely contradicts the culture of democracy.

Samak's antagonistic discourse against the media is not new to members of
the press, as he has exhibited this attitude for more than 30 years of his
political career. However, over the past three months, the prime minister
has demonstrated a more virulent intention than ever to discredit the media
and lead the public to believe that media professionals have "stirred up
trouble".

More importantly, the prime minister has openly said he would use state
media to counter privately-owned media. People's freedom of expression is,
therefore, being threatened.

We see this behavior of Samak as reflecting his insensitivity towards media
and his ignorance and lack of appreciation for the value of media in Thai
society. He fails to respect the dignity and prestige of media.

2. The government, especially Minister Jakrapob Penkair, has also shown no
qualms in trying to regulate state media and broadcasting media. The
minister clearly abused his power by changing the status of media outlets
under the aegis of the Public Relations Department. In the latest case, he
organized a pilot project to develop cooperation between state agencies and
community radio stations and proposed to negotiate with the National Police
Bureau not to arrest community radio stations that broadcast government
programs.

He clearly abused his power by indirectly forcing the community radio to
take the government's side by reporting government news, at the same time
preventing different views and pluralism. Such negotiation with police
comes close to infringing on the law and encourages officials to neglect
their duties.

Therefore, we groups call on the government to expedite the implementation
of the Frequencies Distribution and Radio and Television Broadcasting and
Telecommunication Business Supervision Act of 2000, in order to push for
the setting up of an independent body to regulate, supervise and allocate
frequencies in accordance with the 2007 Constitution, to help solve the
problem of unregulated community radio stations.

We also call upon the government to stop delaying the enforcement of the
Radio and Television Broadcasting Business Act of 2008, which they seem to
be doing with the ulterior motive of prolonging state control over radio
and television stations.

3. Over the past years, high-ranking officials have used criminal
defamation laws to stifle the media and prevent them from presenting facts
and criticising actions that undermine the public interest. A Thai-based
transnational business conglomerate also used these defamation laws to
claim damages of up to 1 billion baht in both civil and criminal libel
suits. It is clear that the company is not serious about the compensation,
but rather aims to stop the media from reporting about its doings. The
company is intent on curbing people's freedom of expression and the media's
work.

We three groups appeal to individuals, organizations, politicians and
transnational companies to stop using legal actions to curb media freedom.

On the occasion of WPFD, we reiterate our intention to support the cause of
freedom of expression, which is a basic right of all people. We believe any
action that obstructs freedom of expression, that infringes upon the laws
and good culture of the Thai people, will definitely be resisted by the
people.

Thai Journalists Association
Thai Broadcast Journalists Association
Confederation of Thai Journalists