Friday, 09 April 2010 20:50 Usa Pichai
Bangkok (Mizzima) - Media rights groups have expressed concerns over the Thai government’s recent censorship under the state of emergency imposed on Thursday for its threat to freedom of expression and media rights and that it may lead to violence from political conflict.
Reporters Without Borders (RWB) released a statement on Friday after the Thai government a day earlier had blocked dozens of websites and cut transmission of a television station under article nine, section three of the state of emergency decree (“Emergency Decree on Public Administration in a State of Emergency”, unofficial Thai translation), which prohibits the dissemination of information liable to disturb “public order”. Most of the media affected are linked to the opposition United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), or “red-shirt” movement, but some, such as the website Prachatai, are independent.
“We firmly condemn any use of news media to call for violence, but it is deplorable that the authorities are using the state of emergency to censor neutral or opposition news outlets,” the statement said. “We urge Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to order the restoration of the censored websites without delay and to close news media only when calls for violence are verified and following standard legal procedures.”
“The government blocked at least 36 websites under the state or emergency yesterday; the order came from the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology.
Prachatai news editor Chuwat Reuksirisuk told Mizzima on Friday staff members had discovered the site blocked on Thursday and they were rushing to find a channel for its readers. (Mizzima has since learned www.prachatai.org is working as a proxy site for English and Thai)
“The media blackout may cause imbalance in society’s news and information, which could lead to violence, particularly during the recent political confusion … Thailand has experienced violence when the government censored media, opening the window only for propaganda and blame thrown at the opposition,” he said.
Prachatai.com is an independent online news website known for its range of commentary on various topics.
RWB noted that the list of blocked sites was confirmed by Suthep Thaugsuban, the deputy prime minister for security affairs, who has been put in charge of a Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation. The prime minister’s spokesman, Satit Wongnongtoey, also warned that, under the state of emergency, internet service providers and media “could be punished if they relay censored media.”
The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (Seapa) on Friday also expressed concern over the decree in Bangkok and nearby provinces, particularly in how the broad powers granted the military under such a declaration could render the free press and freedom of expression vulnerable to political and security objectives.
The Thai Journalists Association (TJA), a founding member of Seapa, and the Thailand Cable TV Association (TCTVA) have called the actions unconstitutional and in violation of Thais’ rights to press freedom and access to information.
The statement from TJA and TCTVA said: “The government claimed the blockade of the transmission and blockade of access to the website were done to prevent distortion of information and prevent dissemination of false information to the public. But the government continued to use state-owned radio and TV stations to present one-sided information. The government also allowed other radio stations and another satellite TV [channel] to present content similar to that of state media, which could lead to further rifts in society.”
The groups urged the Thai authorities and other parties to the continuing crisis to spare the media from ending up as collateral damage in the conflict.
Friday, April 9, 2010
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