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 2 September 2008 quoted in the website of the
English-language daily "The Nation" ( http://www.nationmultimedia.com/ ) 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."