Thai media associations are bracing against a government
declaration of a state of emergency in Bangkok, saying certain
aspects of the declaration could undermine press freedom, free
expression, and access to information.

The Thai Journalists Association (TJA), a member of the Southeast
Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), joined the Press Council of Thailand,
the Confederation of Thai Journalists, the Thai Broadcast
Journalists Association, and the Association of Thai Cable TV in
warning the government against using the unfolding political crisis
to justify restrictions on journalists.

In a joint statement, the Thai media groups said that "part of the
declaration of the state of emergency - which is based on Article 9
of the 2005 State of Emergency Decree - allows the government to
order the chief of a state of emergency committee to 'prohibit the
reporting, selling and distribution of newspapers, publications and
other media that may cause panic among the public or have the
intention to misinform...'"

The groups said invoking this provision would "clearly violate the
media's freedom to report, in accordance with the Article 45 of the
Constitution."

Army commander-in-chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda, who was appointed
chief enforcer of the emergency committee after the state of
emergency had been declared, was on 02 September 2008 quoted in the
website of the English-language daily "The Nation" as saying that
he had received "advice to control the media."

General Anupong said the current situation does not yet warrant
such a measure. At the same time, however, he was quoted as saying
that he is considering meting out sanctions on two television
stations--the state-run National Broadcasting Television (NBT), and
the privately-owned ASTV, whose managers have ties to the
anti-government movement led by the People's Alliance for
Democracy--for  "one-sided reporting" that he said could potentially
aggravate the crisis. Pressed on that statement, the general
assured that the measures he is considering do not include shutting
down the two TV stations. He refused to give further details.

Meanwhile, the Thai media associations called on their members and
all Thai journalists to uphold the highest standards of ethics and
professionalism and independence from any political agenda. The
groups had earlier rejected calls by both government and
anti-government personalities to choose sides and lay bare
loyalties. The Thai media groups said that only in "adhering to
professional ethics, by reporting in a comprehensive manner without
being influenced by any party, can the media allow the people to
make the right judgment on the current political situation."